“The four kingdoms must unite in order to defend against the eternal darkness.” I take a bracing breath. “Your Majesty, the Amheuk has breached the Realm of Four Kingdoms.”
Chaos ensues, and of course, the loudest, shrillest voice is heard first. “Thegumihois spewing poisonous lies to our queen.”
“Guards.” Another shriek pierces through the outraged screams. “Capture the beast.”
The palace guards come for me with their spears raised, and Haesan steps in front of me. “Donottouch her.”
“Haesan, don’t.” I tug on his sleeve until he looks down at me. “I won’t make you a criminal in your own kingdom.”
I raise my hands in the air and allow the guards to push me to my knees, but I hold the queen’s shocked gaze from the floor. “Your Majesty, I beg you to look past prejudices and hear the truth of my words. The fate of the realm depends on it. The King of Underworld has already agreed to send aid to the Kingdom of Mountains.”
“I ...” Her lashes flutter, then the distrust in her eyes finally melts away. “And he helped you get to the Kingdom of Wa—”
An earsplitting boom shakes the audience hall, and terrified screams rip through the air. Only two things can make such a huge impact. One is Godzilla. The other is the Amheuk. Since Godzilla isn’t real, I’m going to assume it’s the latter.
Shit.
We need more time, but the eternal darkness seems impatient to destroy the Realm of Four Kingdoms. I jump to my feet, tossing aside the two palace guards holding me down. They would never have been able to restrain me if I hadn’t let them.
“Come on, Haesan.” I sprint toward the doors with my friend at my side. From the sounds of it, more follow from behind.
We skid to a stop just outside the audience hall, with our eyes glued to the sky. Darkness crawls above the biodome like a kraken, destroying the illusion of daylight. Haesan reaches for my hand, and I grab it tight, anguish burning in my chest.
We’re too late. The Kingdom of Water is lost.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Sunny
The Queen of Water runs out of the audience hall and stumbles to a stop at my side. The whiny high officials—who acted so brave and strong when they ordered the guards to arrest me—cower inside the hall.
“Are we too late?” the queen asks, her gaze intent on the dark tentacles above us.
“No.” My voice is thready and unsure. I mark my palms with the crescents of my nails. “No, we arenottoo late.”
The Amheuk cannot win.
“I will follow where the King Foretold leads.” The queen meets my gaze. She is done playing whatever game she was playing with me. “The diviners said all will be right when the prophecies are fulfilled.”
Again with theprophecies. Does the prophecy of the End of Days say that the King Foretold must kill the bearer of the Yeoiju? Do I want to know?Nope.Prophecies, fate, destiny ... I don’t care about any of that.
I only care about protecting the people I love. And that means finding a way to destroy the Amheuk. That means not giving up.
“All will be right?” I scoff. “What the hell does that even mean?”
“Sunny.” Haesan grabs my arm from the other side, apparently alarmed by my lack of decorum.
But the queen just shrugs. “Beats me.”
“How long do you think the dome will hold?” I ask.
“It is meant to be impenetrable ... So, perhaps a day?” Ironically, the Queen of Water has a dry sense of humor.
“Then I guess we’ll live to see another day.”Mysense of humor, as usual, borders on corny during times of extreme duress. Haesan groans beside me. I don’t think he sees any kind of humor in the situation.
“First things first, I will send reinforcements to the Kingdom of Mountains,” the queen declares, like that had been her plan all along.
“The Kingdom of Mountains doesn’t have an impenetrable dome.” Fear jolts through me. “Do you think the Amheuk already ...”
