Chapter 15

Altea gazed at me with hope in her eyes, and I almost panicked. I took a deep breath, trying to buy me time.

“Where are my friends?”

“Sleeping in their chambers. We added something to their food.”

She hesitated for a moment.

“I am sorry, we didn’t have a choice. The Imperium would crush us if we dared to refuse.”

I wasn’t surprised, hearing her words. After all, they were at war, and better us than them.

“But you can save them. You can save us from the shadow.”

It cost me a lot not to turn away my gaze. What was I supposed to do? I couldn’t save Akka. I know I had said yes to this job, but it hadn’t included actually saving someone, only playing theatre. I turned to the statue of the Goddess, willing her to step in to rescue the situation. But she remained silent, and her quiet gaze became unbearable as I tried to come up with an answer for Altea. Not knowing what else to do, and hoping to distract Altea enough to break her gaze, I whispered,

Soft like a feather,

hard like a steel,

shine like a star

in the starry sky.

It worked. She closed her eyes and continued,

I dispel the darkness

and bring the light.

I don’t regret

walking this path.

I had heard those words countless times by now, but for the first time, I could see what they expected of me as the Goddess. I turned to her.

“Altea. I will protect you.”

Her eyes went wide.

“You will? But Tarnis has fallen, and the way to the South is open.”

She suddenly glanced at the statue of Goddess, as if worrying that her doubt would offend her. I didn’t really think it through what I did next. I simply wanted to protect Selene and the others, and if playing the role of the Goddess would achieve that, I would do it.

“I will retake it.”

Altea burst into tears and threw her arms around me.

“We’ve been waiting for you for so long”, she whispered.

She hung over me, sobbing quietly, and I patted her back awkwardly. I hadn’t expected such a reaction, and when reality sunk in what I had said, I began to regret my words. How would I retake Tarnis? But it was too late to take it back.

She broke the embrace and took my hand.

“Come with me…”

I followed, trying not to think about what I had gotten myself into. She led me through the hallways until we entered a chamber even more splendid than the ones I’d seen before. King Alaren sat on the sofa with a book in his hands. He looked up as we walked in, and his mouth opened in surprise. Hurriedly, he stood up and bowed. All his flamboyant manner had disappeared, and his voice was solemn as he said,

“Forgive me my foolishness, my lady”

He looked at me and I saw how embarrassed he was. So it had just been a game, just like Altea had done before. I glanced at them embracing each other and saw her whispering in his ear. They turned to me, their eyes shining with hope, and I felt the weight of their gaze.

“My companions..”, I said quietly, hoping it would distract them enough to not have to think about what to say.

“I will bring them”, Altea offered.

She left and Alaren gestured for me to come to his desk where he unfolded a map.

“We don’t have much time. The Imperium has spies here.”

I shivered under his words. He rang a bell and an old servant came through the door. Alaren looked at him with a smile and said,

“Tell Eden we are ready. The sun will rise again.”

The servant smiled, giving me a curious look before leaving.

“What will you do?”

I looked at him, confused.

“We will block the river. Their ships will be useless, and it will slow them down to bring their troops here by land.”

He smiled and looked at me.

“We’ve been waiting for this day for a long time, and as we waited, we prepared well. Do not fear, my lady. The banner of Akka will fly over the walls of Tarnis once again.”

I tried really hard not to look away and was only saved by Altea coming back with my companions. They walked like drunks, stumbling and holding onto the walls. Altea pointed at the sofa.

“Please sit down. The effects will wear out soon.”

They looked around, then saw me standing next to the King, and their eyes went wide in surprise. Selene stumbled over to me, almost tripping over me, and whispered,

“Rina…”

“It’s okay, you are safe”, I said and led her to the sofa.

“Rina..”

Karim looked at me, trying to force his mind to work.

“What does this mean…?”

“Aki…?”, Uruk asked quietly.

“She is well, resting after the healers have done their duty”, Altea said

Alaren looked at them.

“I am sorry, my friends…”

I tried to gather my thoughts enough to explain to them what had happened when the earth trembled, almost knocking me from my feet.

“What the…”

“You blocked the river.”

Karim looked at the King in shock. He nodded and looked at me with a smile.

“The sun will rise again”