“Look.” She glances down. Instead of legs, I have a glistening tail of blue and gold. Like a fish gracefully gliding through water, it sways back and forth. With a quick upward glance, I swiftly scan the area around me. All around are people with bodies similar to mine. I would expect horror or shock, but they are smiling.
“It was time to start anew. What grew in a day also fell in a day, but I gave you all another chance. Another chance to save the rest of the world.”
My fingers touch the shell in my chest before I hesitantly ask, “Ereon?” I glance down at my arm that bears the red tattoos. “Thylas?”
Her smile is forced, her eyes betraying a hidden pain. “Ereon is here, you kept his soul so tight to yours, and he is one of mine. You held on to him just enough that I could save him. Those that were cursed with the deluc and left waiting have been reborn as well. Your father” — she looks behind her and smiles — “has chosen to stay here with me, for now. But Thylas is walking the path I tried to save him from, a path set forth by his ancestors.”
“What does that mean?” I ask, panic straining my words. “Where is he?”
“Learn your powers once more, learn to walk and swim with the creatures of the sea. Read the words of my past. Become all that you must and then you can face him — save him.”
My tail swishes around me. “I don’t understand.”
“You are a new creation, my dear one. One that can live on both sea and sands, for when you reach land your legs will grow, but if you exceed a fortnight on shore, the magic will set you free.”
“Die. You mean. We will die, again?” I ask, biting back a laugh. I’ve already felt death brush against me, and its darkness is something I no longer fear.
She nods at me. And I have to ask her once more, “Mother, where is Thylas?”
She reaches out and brushes strands of hair behind my ear, before she looks at me. “The new King of Shaston remains on his kingdom’s sands. I can’t save those who are no longer mine to save, even though I tried.”
A wave of emotion washes over me, and I can feel tears threatening to spill from my eyes. “The new King of Shaston? No. He can’t be.”
“Thylas had little control when Atlas twisted his words and made him believe. Hold on tight to your love, my Daughter, for your battle is not over yet. He’ll need you, they all will. This is just the beginning. Be brave. War is coming.”
As she kisses my forehead, I feel a fleeting warmth before she disappears from my sight.
As I look around, I can’t help but notice how my people navigate the water with ease, as if swimming is an innate ability for them. I move my tail slowly back and forth, feeling the smooth, rhythmic motion. Maneuvering the tail is like a graceful dance, flowing with such ease that it feels as if it has always been a part of me.
“Naxa!” Siphonie’s voice rings out around me, startling me as she pulls me to her tightly. “We’ve been waiting for you to wake! We tried moving you to a room in the castle, your room — but couldn’t. You were frozen here, just floating.” She smiles, her tailmatching her hair that she shows off. “So this is new. You missed everyone panicking, but then ... it’s like we have always felt at home in the water, so it seems better than the death we all thought we were facing.”
“You’re squishing me.” I smile at her as she releases me. “Has anyone seen Ereon?”
Rhenor shakes his head. “Ereon, is not here, not in your room either. Maybe the tide took him before we woke.”
“I have to find them, we have to prepare.” They stare at me confused.
But I need to see what is left of my kingdom. I swim fast, so fast that I burst through the waves and feel the salty spray on my face as I look out at the vast expanse where my kingdom once stood. There is nothing to be seen of the land that once occupied this space, the moon still hovers in front of the sun, an eternal night lingering.
My lungs fill with a sensation I’ve never felt. It’s like my magic but different. Something I’ve felt before, but didn’t understand. I flick my fingers out in front of me, watching the tattoos on my right arm reflect the moonlight. Small flames flicker at my fingertips — Thylas. Holding my left hand in front of me, I call something I’m more accustomed to, and snow falls — Ereon.
I look for the ripples of the twin drop, searching deep for what the magic shows me to be true. I can feel their presences humming against my heart, assuring me they are both still out there ... somewhere. And I will find them.
sixty-six
Ereon
As I inhale, water rushes into my lungs, causing an intense cough that burns throughout my body. Suddenly, the water clears and a sharp pain jolts through my stomach. With eyes still shut, I run my hand across my skin and feel a new scar.
Memories come flooding in: the echoing clash of swords; the sight of Carnaxa’s tears streaming down her face; and the overwhelming fear of my death. I accepted my impending death, finding solace because I would sacrifice myself to keep her safe, finally giving my life purpose after yearsof emptiness.
Opening my eyes, I find myself immersed in crystal clear waters, even though they are dark I can see everything. I move my legs, but they move as one and I look down. My legs have been replaced with a fish’s tail. Golden fins shoot out from the bottom, causing a sudden surge of panic within me. It’s a strange sensation as I move around and realize that the water surrounding me is not suffocating, but I can inhale it, as though it’s air. Is this what death is?
In front of me stands a woman, her appearance strikingly similar to the one who has captured my heart. She smiles at me, “I know you must have many questions, Ereon.”
“Why am I not dead?” It’s the only question that comes to mind, and the most pressing.
“Because you are one of mine by blood and Carnaxa held on so hard to keep you here. I saved you for her and what’s to come. This is only the beginning, and she’ll need you. The new King of Shaston has many plans, and I’m sure Khaysus does as well.”
