Isle of Wysteria: The Monolith Crumbles (66 page)

“Ellie!” he screamed, but she was gone.

As Ryin covered his face sorrowfully, the handful of survivors stood around in the living room, hopeless disbelief on their faces. After all they had done, after all they had sacrificed. Against impossible odds, they had fought their way into the monolith itself, and nothing had changed.

The only sound was that of Athel sobbing where she lay, collapsed on the floor. Without hope, without warmth. She cried so deeply, no one dared touch her or say anything.

It was harrowing to watch. Her mighty heart, her unbreakable will, which had led and sustained them for months, which had forged an alliance from squabbling delegates, which had stood up defiantly against even the gods themselves, was gone.
Gone forever.

“I wish I had never been born,” she sobbed, her grey eyes endless pits of grief. “Why wouldn’t you just leave me back there?”

Andolf stepped forward, his own eyes red with tears.

“You have to find the courage to try again, my child,” he said softly. “You have to hope. You have to.”

“I won’t,” she whimpered. “I’ll never try again. All I want to do is die.”

“You have to. Because if you don’t, in two months time, there won’t be a world.”

Outside it was raining.

It rained all night long.

The Wysterian Alliance had been the world’s dream. The last best chance for survival.

There was a flash of silver, and Kahn Alakaneezer fell to the ground, dead.

It was built on an idea. The belief that the peoples of Aetria could live together in peace.

A swish of metal, and King Turino collapsed, his eyes lifeless.

Many had believed in that dream. They had believed that it was a good cause, worthy enough to risk everything, even their very lives.

A quick thrust of blade, and President Kaln slumped forward and died.

They had dreamed of all they would have built together, all the things they would accomplish as a unified people. They had envisioned a world filled with peace instead of war.

A slash of edge, and King Frians was thrown down into the pit, dead with the others.

Now that dream filled an unmarked grave. An Alliance flag, torn and tattered, was tossed atop their bodies, their blood soaking into the fabric.

* * *

A dark portal opened, and Blair stepped out into the chamber, flicking the blood off of his long metallic fingers.

“Well, this has been a cheerful morning,” he said, pleased with himself. “After living a few thousand years, I can tell you sincerely that boredom becomes a real problem. I can happily state I haven’t been bored even once today.”

Queen Sotol and Tigera paid him little heed as they looked over their chessboard. Deliciously, she reached down and scooped up nine droplets of black shakes, and let them trail down her throat. Her shimmering white hair lifted up and floated in the air around her.

“Am I to understand you’re playing another game?”

“Of course,” Tigera mentioned.

“But why?”

“Like you said, to relieve boredom.”

Blair looked up at the ancient crumbing gargoyles and columns, the greenish hue everything took on from the barrier that held back the ocean around them. “I supposed Arianis Kultur is a bit on the drab side.”

Blair walked over and looked at their game with disinterest. “All the other Alliance leaders are dead. I think King Dolan will make a fine addition to our Kabal; he has just the right amount of savagery.”

“There’s no such thing as too much savagery,” Tigera said, his eyes looking over the Queen’s body hungrily.

“We will keep him on a short leash,” Queen Sotol explained. “He only betrayed them once he was sure they would fail to destroy us. He’s an opportunist, and can’t be trusted.”

“And you aren’t?” Blair quipped.

She looked up at him with her dark eyes. “I’m the one who saved you from utter destruction.”

Blair returned his fingers to normal and wiped them off on his shirt. “Well, I’m going to grab a few people and start dispatching the rest of the Alliance soldiers before the time-spells wear off.”

Queen Sotol shook her head. “No, I have plans for them. Take them into custody. Without their magic, they will make perfect slave labor.”

Blair shrugged. “Sounds like more trouble than it’s worth. Besides, we have everything we need, and here we’re untouchable, thanks to you. What would we need slaves for? I’m just going to kill them.”

“You’ll do no such thing.”

Blair raised an eyebrow. “I may dance along to your tune when it suits me, but the fact is you can’t give me orders, number four.”

“It’s number two now, actually.”

Blair raised an eyebrow. “A leaf-witch as number two?”

“Hold your tongue son. She is your superior now,” Dev’in explained.

Blair looked over and looked at his father, who was stroking the hand of his deceased wife. “Surely you can’t be serious.”

“I have never been more serious. She has brought us closer to restoring Valpurgeiss to his ancient power than any other person. It is only fitting that she serve him as my number two.”

Tigera picked up his knight and set it down, satisfied.

The Queen flicked her finger and her rook slid across the board, taking his bishop.

“Ah squat,” he cursed, not having seen that gap.

Blair shrugged and lazily looked over the pile of pieces she had taken from him. “Do you really think you can beat her?”

Tigera laughed. “Oh no, not in a thousand years.”

Blair scratched his neck. “Then why play?”

Tigera leaned forward and scratched his goatee as he moved his pawn. “Because winning is not the point. It’s like watching a panther stalk her prey. The conclusion is forgone, but the thrill of the hunt, the predatory savagery of it all, it is beautiful to watch it all play out.”

“You could at least try to anticipate what she will do.”

Queen Sotol leaned back. “If that is what you think, then you know nothing about chess at all. The goal in chess is not to anticipate your opponent’s moves; the goal is to create a situation where every possible outcome is in your favor. For example, the spikes I used to blight the trees of Wysteria. Had Athel left them in place, she would have died, and the Alliance would have splintered without her leadership. If she had removed them, she would irreparably injure her relationship with the other matrons, and lose her throne. If she had manipulated someone in the navy to remove them, a war would have broken out between them and the Wysterians. If she had accepted my offer for the antidote, I would have bargained for a cease-fire, and we win by default as the double eclipse approaches.”

She picked up her queen and twirled it in her sharp fingers. “Athel is a gambler. She is willing to bet on long odds and take big risks. You can’t beat someone like that simply by guessing what they’ll do. You have to put them in a no-win situation.”

“Do you think Athel knew she would be deposed when she removed the spikes?”

“I’m sure she considered the possibility. She probably tried to hedge her bets by beginning with a family she thought she could trust. What you have to understand about Athel is that ultimately, she believes that people are good at their core. She believes with all her heart that people will do the right thing when the situation is dire. She believes that other people are like she is.”

Queen Sotol slammed the piece down, placing her opponent in checkmate.

“That is why she lost everything.”

Tigers leaned back and laughed. “Beautifully done.”

“Of course it was.”

Blair was intrigued. “But, I thought you said your goal wasn’t to destroy the Alliance?”

“It wasn’t. I’m just that good. Consider it a bonus.”

“And yet killing Athel Forsythia is the one thing you didn’t accomplish. Her body wasn’t among the dead.”

“I haven’t failed, you buffoon,” the Queen cackled, “I’m just not done yet.”

“She could be anywhere, now. How are you going to find her?”

“I’m not, the world will find her for me.”

“How?”

“Be quiet,” Dev’in scolded. “She knows what she is doing. I have made her number two. From now on you will all follow her commands without question.”

The other Kabalists stepped into the light. “Yes sir,” they chanted reluctantly.

Blair spitefully gave a dramatic bow and took a knee. “So, what is our next move, my master?”

Queen Sotol leaned back and allowed Tigera to massage her feet. “Athel was protected by a massive fleet of airships and a huge army, now they are gone. She had the resources of an empire at her command, now they are stripped from her. She sat on a throne in a forest stronghold, now the forest itself has kicked her out and curses her very name. She can never use her magic again. She had loyal friends she could trust and rely on for support, now they have all either betrayed her, are crippled, or are dying before her eyes. She is broken, defenseless, and alone. In her shattered heart, she truly longs for death. Now, only one thing remains.”

“And what is that?”

Queen Sotol licked her blood-red lips. “To give it to her.”

* * *

In a small lakeside bar, Setsuna quietly twirled the straw of her exotic beverage without drinking it. She reached up and wiped her red eyes, smearing her makeup.

Golden furred Lahitians began yelling in their native tongue. She turned around to see them running, gathering in the village square, where an enormous image of Queen Sotol was appearing above the straw-roofed houses.

Setsuna stepped out from under the umbrella and shielded her eyes.

Queen Sotol raised her arms. “People of Aetria! My name is Spirea Sotol, Queen of Stretis and commander of all League Military forces. I speak to you tonight from Arianis Kultur, the ancient capital of the water tribe. And what is down here?”

She stepped aside, revealing a dimly glowing god, bound by powerful chains of fire. “Why it is Veritus, the lost god of Wysteria. Husband to Milia.” She stepped back, revealing a second god, bound like the first. “And here, JaArian, the lost god of the water tribe. People of the world, listen well, for these two gods hold the key of salvation to you all!”

* * *

In a hot, dusty field, surrounded by parched trees, a filthy and exhausted High Priestess Oleander dropped the hoe from her hands and looked up, ignoring the pain in her blistered hands as the women clumsily planted the seeds around her shouted and pointed at the enormous image of Queen Sotol in the skies above them.

“…People of Wysteria,” the Queen continued, “Unless Veritus is freed, Milia will soon die, and you will forever lose your powers. Your entire way of life will be destroyed, your trees will perish, your people will cease to exist…”

* * *

Hanner ran out the front gates to the gaudy hotel holding Strenner. People everywhere in the plaza were frozen in place, looking upwards at the image that hung over Tuppenhague. He looked up as well.

“…And to the rest of you, JaArian holds the key to your survival. You see, the Stone Council needs all 78 magics synthesized together to restore the light of creation, but when Veritus and JaArian opposed them, they were crippled and imprisoned.”

* * *

Captain Evere and Ryin ran out of the ruined front entrance to Privet’s house, looking at the form of the Queen as she hung over the capital of Ronesia.

“…That is why the seas were cursed,” she continued. “The Rubric on the oceans causes them to absorb minerals into them, so that the Stonemasters could command the waters as if they were children of JaArian themselves….”

* * *

Inside the black ship, Mandi weakly propped herself up on one elbow, looking out the window to see the enormous form of Queen Sotol standing above the capital of Eddinburg, addressing the people there. Margaret and Molly ran up and looked out as well.

“…But, if JaArian is freed, he can simultaneously heal all waters, and make it impossible for the Stone Council to ever complete their goal…”

* * *

In the green glow of Arianis Kultur, the Kabalists watched in horror as Queen Sotol stood on the glowing crystalline platform, addressing the world.

“Is this a good idea?” Blair asked, whispering to his father. “She’s telling them everything.”

“Relax, she knows what she is doing. Her plan is flawless.”

“…If these two gods are set loose, the seas will be freed of their curse, your islands will be saved, all peoples will live. The world will be spared.”

She closed her eyes and held out her hand magnanimously. “I am offering to set both these gods free, and save you all. My terms are fair, I only ask one thing in return.”

All over the world, every people stood and watched with baited breath.

Queen Sotol gave a smug grin and pulled out a golden knife with her other hand. She opened her raven eyes, silver swirling about inside of them.

“You must find and capture Athel Forsythia, former queen of Wysteria. And, with this blade, before my feet…”

“…she will take her own life.”

…To be concluded in Isle of Wysteria: Throne of Chains

About the Author

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I come from a family of ballet dancers. (I know, right?) My parents actually met dancing at Ballet West together. So, the first few years of my life were spent backstage at productions like CATS, Dreamgirls, and A Chorus Line, where I developed a lifelong aversion to stage makeup. My parents even appeared in a few movies and TV shows, like Girls Just Wanna have fun, and the Tracy Ullman show, but that is about as much namedropping as I can currently muster. I spent two years living in Argentina as a missionary, where I became addicted to mayonnaise, and developed a crippling fear of small dogs. In college I studied aviation, and was well on my way to becoming a commercial airline pilot when I suddenly developed a rare illness that left me with severe heart damage. Bedridden for about a year, I began writing, as it was one of the few things I could do. I spent the next decade writing books and taking care of my kids while my wife worked, waiting for that letter to come in the mail which never came. (Should have written about sparkly vampires instead) When my son Stephen passed away in July of 2012, I decided that I was going to dedicate my first book to him, and I wasn’t going to wait for anyone’s permission to be published anymore. I was going to do it myself.