“Aren’t you supposed to be dead?” Dominic spat as James looked at his hands.
“I am, aren’t I?” James laughed. “Well, that’s the beauty of this knowledge. It puts things in a new perspective. After learning how connected the body and mind really are, I’ve come to a sudden realization. Did you know that there are people that can literally be scared to death? Have a heart attack from too much internal pressure? It’s true, though it’s all psychological. Those people didn’t have to die. So I figure that when we’re told we’ll die immediately when our eidolons are broken, sure it may hurt a lot. I mean, that is a part of you being smashed into bits. I would even say it makes you go unconscious, but as far as death? I think that’s the mind’s doing.”
“You talk too much.”
“If’ I’m still alive, that means my soul is still intact, and if the stones of power are all the same, that means I didn’t lose my Quietus side. It just means I took an internal hit. But you see, Chloe taught me that the soul is a supply of limitless energy, being a spirit. So if I still have a soul, that means…”
James stretched his arms out and two eidolons emerged at once, both white, both about to explode with raw energy. Crackling and on fire with white hot flames, he glared at his opponents.
“It means I still have all the energy I need.”
“Even more so,” Arimus said as he unsheathed his own eidolon.
“So come at us with your pathetic blades,” James smiled confidently. “We now know why Jester could call forth an eidolon and so can Alexander, but one thing I’ve learned long ago that you should remember: forming one doesn’t make you a Sage!”
Dominic began building energy, ready to unleash the same attack that leveled the forest earlier, but James saw it coming a mile away. His senses were crisp, his wounds healed now that he knew his Quietus abilities were not taken away from him, and he wasn’t about to let Dominic inflict anymore either. He leapt from the glass floor and stabbed his rival with both white eidolons, slamming them straight into his chest. Dominic let out a cry as they both flew off the platform and down into the water below. Alexander sheathed his eidolon from behind his back, a silver sword with no frills, and steadied his eyes at Arimus.
“I guess you’re my dance partner,” he said as Arimus smiled from beyond his gray beard.
“I hope you can keep up with the moves,” he replied as an explosion of light filled the entire eighth floor and blinded Alexander. The Prattlian used the eidolon for his eyes and felt Arimus jumping towards him. He held up his sword to parry the blow, but what he didn’t expect was the old Sage’s windmill eidolon instead stabbing him in his right side.
Alexander opened his eyes in alarm as he saw Arimus standing in front of him, pretending like he was holding a sword while his eidolon was actually lodged in his side.
“What did you do?” Alexander winced as Arimus called the eidolon back into his hands.
“I pretended to go for your head while my wind sent my eidolon to your side. My winds have gotten a lot faster all of a sudden, you see.”
“What?” Alexander yelled as he saw Arimus for the first time since he landed on the platform. His gray hair and beard were trimmed and clean. His armor had been replaced by a long dark blue robe, covering him from head to toe, and a wave of confidence was emanating from him as Alexander swung his blade forward.
At the last second, the tip extended out like a whip and lashed at Arimus’ neck, but the old Sage caught it with a gust of wind and then drove it through the platform. With Alexander momentarily off guard, he leapt backwards, using a breeze to keep him afloat, and then summoned a tsunami of wind to crash into Alexander from the sides, only with this particular attack, it had managed to grab the spikes from the wall from the start.
Alexander screamed as both waves of spikes crashed into him like two walls. And when it was all over, before Alexander could even hope to recover, Arimus had already returned to the platform and promptly severed the Prattlian’s head with a slash of his eidolon.
“Incinerate,” Arimus said low as he raised a palm at the Prattlian’s lifeless body, engulfing it immediately in flames. Satisfied that he was dead for good, Arimus let the robe around him disintegrate into the air, and then he looked down toward the water, waiting for James to finish a long standing rivalry between two young men…
* * * * *
Catherine, Zain and Tyuin finished their conversation and headed toward the castle, making sure to use the outskirts of the Kingdom walls and plenty of guards to get there. There was little time to converse and they didn’t want to get held up by their citizens if they went through the village. They reached the meadow as quick as possible and used Zain’s Langoran guards to act as a shield, keeping them from being bombarded with questions about the Kingdom’s next move.
Catherine wanted to talk to her people, now more than ever, but she had to remain strong and continue forth as a beacon of strength and solidarity. They needed her to have the answers, even when she wasn’t sure of them herself.
A loud voice interrupted her thoughts from beyond the Langoran shield.
“Princess! Princess Catherine! We need to talk! It’s James’ father!”
“James,” Catherine said, trying to hold back a smile. Tyuin and Zain looked at her curiously as she patted the Langoran in front of her on the back. “Please let the man in. I need to speak with him.”
The Langoran obeyed without a word and James’ father stepped into the circle. They had only met once, and it hadn’t ended well, but still she couldn’t help but feel a sense of strange gratitude to the man that sent his boy off to the Sentinel Academy.
“You look well,” Catherine said, seeing the brightness in his face. He smiled, which was unusual for him, and he shook her hand eagerly.
“I’m doing very, very well,” he said. “How’s my boy?”
“Off on a mission,” Catherine said, clearing her throat. She didn’t want to think about the fact that they had not yet returned.
“It’s good to see you trust him enough to handle things,” he said with a smile. Catherine glanced at Zain and Tyuin who were waiting patiently.
“Um…sir, I’m sorry, but we have business to take care of. What is it you wanted to talk to me about? Or can it wait until after our address?”
“No, it has to be now,” he said. “Is there any way you can ask these guys to sit down or something? They’ll be blocking the whole thing.”
Zain rolled his eyes and motioned for the Langorans to go behind them. They obeyed and James’ father motioned for several Allayans to line up behind him. Before Catherine could ask what was going on, they each stuck out their hands and eidolons emerged, all of different colors, shapes and sizes, creating a beautiful myriad of power. Tyuin chuckled to himself and even Zain managed to smile as Catherine stepped forward in awe.
“These are but a few of the new Sages,” James’ father replied as she studied each one in detail. “We’ve been working hard in your absence. What you and my boy said to us – we took it to heart, and we talk about it every day. We just want to thank you for that.”
“No, thank you,” Catherine smiled. “I couldn’t ask for a greater gift than to see the people of Allay prosper. I’m so happy for you. Are you a Sage too?”
“No,” he laughed. “But I’m working on it. And this isn’t all! We have one more thing.”
“Oh?”
The young Sages parted in the middle and made way for Kyran, who stepped through with mischief in his eyes. Catherine watched suspiciously as he stood next to James’ father with something in both hands behind his back.
“I’ll let him do the rest of the talking,” James’ father replied as he stepped back. Catherine raised her eyebrows. Kyran? Do most of the talking?
“Princess Catherine,” Kyran said with a twinkle in his eye. “Before you left, you told the people of Allay to choose their leader, the ruler that they see fit to wear this.” He extended his hands forward, and revealed her father’s
crown, shining majestically and looking as new as the day she left.
“The people have spoken,” Kyran said, taking the crown, and placing it upon her head. Catherine could barely breathe as he continued to speak. “You are, and always have been our Queen. You have loved us and cherished us as if we were your family, and have acted accordingly. Between the decisions I’ve seen you make on the road, and the enthusiasm you have inspired in our Kingdom, it was an easy and unanimous decision. And we only saw it fit that before you lead us into this battle, this war, that you should lead as you were always meant to. From this time forward…you are the Queen of Allay.”
Zain and Tyuin began clapping, and the Langorans joined in. Soon, everyone in the meadow stepped forward, giving Catherine their support, approval, and best wishes. Clapping and cheering her on, she covered her blushing face with her hands, trying not to cry over the joy in her heart. A new fire and determination welled up within her as she took a deep breath and looked at the people around her. Allayan, Langoran and Prattlian, all of them joined together to celebrate the coronation of a stranger, now a friend, an ally…family. She would do them proud. Catherine started blushing again and to hide her tears, she hugged Kyran vigorously.
He patted her head as she burrowed her face into his trench coat.
“Thank you for your kind words, Kyran,” she said.
“I may need some water now,” his eyes smiled. “My throat is parched…but it was worth seeing the happiness in your face. Now let me go, and address them as their Queen.”
Catherine wiped her face and stepped back. Everyone in the meadow sat down with legs crossed, waiting for their leaders to speak of the darkness to come. Catherine felt the weight of the crown on her head and clenched her fists. She knew Thorn was coming, and soon. Yet in spite of the odds, she was determined to lose not even one.
“Allayans…Prattlians…Langorans…” she began. “I-“
“- need to hold your tongue,” Zain interrupted. Catherine looked at him in surprise as Tyuin gave a chuckle. “Just for a moment, your Majesty. King Tyuin and I have something to say.”
“Go on,” Catherine said as Zain cleared his throat.
“From our conversations with the newly crowned Queen, I have come to a decision.”
“I, as well,” Tyuin called out. “Listen up!”
“On our way to the meadow, Tyuin and I had the pleasure of sharing a carriage while the Queen rode on her own…so she could think about what to say to you. During that ride, we discussed what has happened to our respective Kingdoms, what devastation we have endured and how our people have been displaced.”
“It has become clear to us,” Tyuin continued for Zain. “that when Catherine and her Sages embarked on their journey to retrieve the stones of power, it was under good intentions, despite what happened in the wake of their actions. They were fighting for the good of us all, regardless of the deception placed upon them, and when it was apparent that we were not willing to assist in their mission, her Sages, unbeknownst to her, acted on her behalf. To spare her the burden and pain of making such a tough decision – to kill another.”
“We have learned two things from our interactions,” Zain replied. “One, that her character and leadership is held in such high regard that those around her are willing to do the dirty work to ensure she stays the same. And two, she is willing to do anything, and I mean anything, to accomplish her goals and yet, somehow maintain her integrity. She came back for me in my fight against Thorn when it would have been better off to leave me for dead. After all, I still had revenge on my mind.”
“And she didn’t have to leave the stone of Prattle in my care,” Tyuin said. “She could have kept it for herself, with the excuse that they were better under her protection.”
Zain took Catherine’s hands, and placed the stone of Quietus into them.
“This is yours until you decide otherwise,” Zain said to her privately, and then he turned back to the people. “I am a young King, and so is Tyuin. We were given our Kingdoms out of desperation and circumstance. Catherine here is even younger than us, yet, she is wise beyond her years. Our decision, should our people agree, is this. We will no longer be known as the Kingdom of Prattle and the Kingdom of Languor. With the Queen’s blessing, we wish to become one with Allay, and rise as a new Order! Bigger, stronger and united - able to combat against enemies like Thorn that seek our extinction, and able to work together to achieve more than we could ever hope alone!”
“Queen Catherine,” Tyuin addressed her directly. “We are displaced and without a home. Until the ruins are cleared and our structures rebuilt, we are weak. And even when we are restored to our former glory, Zain and I have realized that we don’t know all of what it takes to lead - what orders have to be given and which to withhold. We don’t have the strength you have, and should a threat like Thorn arise in the future, we will be destroyed. Even recently, if it wasn’t for the aid of you and your Sages, many of us would not be standing in your meadow here today.”
“Wait,” Catherine said, throwing up a hand. “I’ve decided.”
“Okay,” Tyuin said nervously as Zain and the rest of the meadow awaited her word.
“I accept everything you’ve just said,” Catherine replied. The people began to cheer but Catherine held up a hand of silence. “But with a few stipulations. First, to celebrate our unity, we will devise a new name for this new Kingdom. There will be no division here. Second, you are free to our resources while you help us with the work during your stay. While here, you have the option of either building homes here, or rebuilding your old Kingdoms. The decision is yours and for your people to decide, even on an individual basis. And last, you owe us nothing. If you decide that you will be a separate Kingdom in the future, even to the point that you no longer want to have any more dealings with us, that is your option. You are still Kings, and though you may look to me for decisions during your stay, I will always consult you. If I am to be the Queen of you all, then I will treat you the same as I did those of Allay. There will be no difference. None. You will become my family…so if you can accept those conditions, I can accept yours with a whole heart.”
“Accepted,” Tyuin said, shaking her hand. Zain smiled and did the same afterwards. The crowd cheered and Catherine sighed nervously as they all accepted the arrangement. It was like a dream come true, seeing the Kingdoms unite and work together for once. There was hope now, and as Catherine gave the crowd a smile and waved for them to silence once more, she could only think of James, realizing that the situation would be absolutely perfect…if only he was there to share in this historical moment.
Chapter 15 – 10 Minutes to Midnight
James ripped the eidolons from Dominic’s body right before they hit the water and tried to decapitate him but his rival managed to bat it away with his own. He lunged with his eidolon towards James’ chest, but James kicked it away and tried to swim up to the surface. Dominic grabbed his pants and pulled him back down as James frowned. There was no way either of them was going to let the other go back up for air.
James swung one of the eidolons at Dominic’s arm, but it just bounced right off as Dominic increased his muscles to inhuman proportions. James dodged a wild punch from one of Dominic’s massive fists and swam further down.
This is his opportunity, James thought. He can reach the surface now. But he’s too pissed off to just let me go. He’ll want to know what I’m doing.
As if following James’ thoughts exactly, Dominic headed right for him, his gigantic arms slowing him down significantly. James let him come close and waited until his rival prepared to throw a punch. Just as Dominic’s right fist was about to connect to James’ face, he dodged it and a metal chain shot up from the floor below and wrapped around the huge arm. James smiled at the shocked look on Dominic’s face and continued manifesting chains from the bottom, wrapping one by one around his rival’s arms, neck, legs and torso, pulling him deeper and deeper down until the soles of his feet were touching the
pool floor. Dominic struggled against them but James kept his focus, tightening his grip while he swam upwards for air.
James erupted at the top, took a big gulp of oxygen, and then swam back down where Dominic was, his body beginning to go limp as he swallowed more and more water. Just as Dominic’s eyes began to close, James swam over and squeezed his shoulder.
Instantly, they were on a wooden wharf, overseeing a beautiful sunset and oceanic view. Dominic, unchained and back to normal, saw James squeezing his shoulder and pushed him away.
“GET OFF ME!” he shouted in rage as he ran at him with his fist cocked back. James dodged it, and punched him square in the stomach, sending a wave of nausea through him. Dominic fell to his knees and coughed as James shook his head and stooped next to him.
“Calm down. You can’t really hurt me here.”
“Where are we, freak?” Dominic gasped as he clutched his abdomen.
“Catherine’s place,” James said casually as he walked past Dominic and sat down at the edge of the wharf. “I created this for her…while I was practicing with…well, whatever else I could make besides an eidolon.”
Dominic groaned, stared at the back of his head and then plopped down beside him, both of them dangling their legs over the edge. He gave James a pained expression and then darted his eyes between the sun, the sand, water and the wooden planks under him.
“Am I dead?” he asked. James laughed.
“No, not yet. Though very close.”
“What’s going on? What are you doing to me, clown?”
“I brought you here,” James said as he watched the sunset. “We’re both still underwater and I got a nice breath of fresh air before I manifested this place. That’s why I’m a lot stronger than you here. You’re about to drown in reality.”
Dominic considered his words.
“How are we still under water? That doesn’t make sense.”
Hail to the Queen (Sage Trilogy, Book 3) Page 25