Page 37 of A Reign of Chromes & Shadows

A diamond of light emerged, vibrating softly as low hums resonated through the chamber.

“Hello, True King. We appreciate your timely visit.”

The voices were melodic, layered, ancient. “We hear your many questions — so many questions. A wise, inquisitive mind.”

Their words wrapped around his consciousness, warm and proud.

“What you witnessed were two key components of the text you hold. Fragments of your destiny. A destiny that began long, long ago. So long ago that your existence was but an idea in the cosmos. A possibility. A chance.”

The diamond pulsed.

“We cannot reveal too much. Not yet. The first vision is a puzzle piece you must uncover in your own time. But know this, True King—their bloodline will lead you to your true match in every sense of the word.”

An eerie chuckle rippled through the space.

“The text you hold contains knowledge of the twin mutation we created within our aetherial children. An advanced genetic component, crafted to evolve the ancient civilisation. Two born together; to rule, to bring order. We instilled a high moral compass, courage, compassion, and more. Generations of peace followed… until corruption tainted the world, plunging it into chaos for a millennium. You must not let it consume all, now that it awakens.”

A dramatic inhale echoed around him.

“The children of the second vision are the first twins of the true royal bloodline. Only their descendants should sit upon the Aetherial throne.They alone can channel all sources of Aether. The rest are not meant to rule.”

Rain’s breath caught.

“Those children, True King, are your ancestors. Their power runs through your veins. You are not merely of Blue aetheria. Your bloodline is prismatic. Iridescent. The Aetherchrome of your legacy shimmers in luminous rainbow.”

The voice grew excited.

“Yes… yes, yes, yessss. You remember the Prismatic Aetherchrome from your dreams. From your visions. You must one day seek the true source and heal the sickness that festers. The vines are growing. The vines are growing.”

The chant from his last meditation whispered through the background.

“True King, you must break free from those who refuse to see what you are and fear what you will become. The end is near. So, it has been foretold. The True King is the last hope.”

Rain jolted violently, heart slamming into his throat. His breath hitched.

What the fuck.

He clutched his chest, the parchment and stone slipping from his hands onto the dais. They could at least try to ease him out of these visions, he thought bitterly.

He leaned back against the cushions, staring up at the painted constellations, grounding himself in something physical. He had never felt drawn to the Gods; the skies had always felt more honest, more comforting.

Now, with his mind throbbing and full of impossible truths, he longed for the simplicity of the stars more than ever.

Chapter 14

Draped in lime-green chiffon, Queen Igna lounged back on the indigo chaise, tucking her legs beneath her skirts, leaving her dainty slippers on the woven rug. She tapped insistently at the space beside her with an ornate fan that matched her gown.

“Rainy darling, come sit right here next to me. It has been far too long since our last visit,” she called, her tone soft but unmistakably demanding.

Rain ignored her, leaning against the door frame with his hands shoved in his pockets, gaze fixed on the floor as if he hadn’t heard a thing. It was easy to feign ignorance; he had been lost to his own world of thought all morning. He considered the words of the Gods from his vision, still in disbelief that he was being blessed with communication from the Gods themselves. A cloud of questions clung to the atmosphere surrounding him; Could the blood running through the blue veins beneath his skins really be something other? Is he not Blue Aetherial? And then there was the discomfort in being called the True King, something in the way it was spoken, made it feel more than just a threat to his father’s reign. When he still didn’t move, Igna smacked the spot harder, forcing him to look up.

“Rain, darling! Do entertain your mummy-in-law and come sit with me.” Her voice pitched up an octave, dripping with theatrical sweetness.

It took considerable effort not to roll his eyes. Instead, he pushed off the door frame and offered her a strained, apologetic smile.

“Perfect!” she chirped as he reluctantly perched beside her.

He liked Igna, she was kind, supportive, and genuinely fond of him but she was also clingy, overbearing, and exhausting in large doses.