CHAPTER 37
“The monster that lurks in the night is considered the Dark One. The one who should have never been born. The Dark One is considered to be the one to bring destruction to the Realms, including the downfall to the Deskyiara bloodline.” - Book of Azure
“I CAN DO THIS.” MY lips quiver. “I am Serene Deskyiara.”
The last damn Deskyiara.
The true Queen of Eekatia.
Now I understand. Those who watch, who connect with the games on a deeper level, I can never understand.
I’ve been gone for too long. They believe the games, the bloody death of our people, is the only way for their protection.
If they stop, end the games for good, the curses will walk our lands forever.
They believe this is their only hope.
But that’s not true. I can feel it in the embers inside me that I am meant to destroy the games. I am meant to show them all that bloodshed is not the answer. The games are not the key to our peace.
My lips part. “I can do this, Father, watch over me.”
I inhale, the distinct smell of burnt rubber filling my nose and tickling the hairs inside. Hot steam singes my face, most likely from the person who was burnt here just minutes ago. Tristain. Rule number one since being here in Azure: don’t piss off the Queen.
Poor guy never stood a chance out here.
My eyes lock onto the Queen high above the crowd, her golden seats protected with twelve guards around her and her daughter.
She isn’t in the mountains this time, I suppose whatever crawls out of the arena today shouldn’t be that deadly.
She gives me a stern and deliberate raised eyebrow, as if she is waiting for me to try and climb the damn wall that's in front of me.
But I know better. I know there are guards posted at every passage in this arena, waiting for anyone that tries to escape.
I suppose either the first or second man tried climbing. His body hangs over the stone wall, ten arrows shot in his back. I’m curious as to what horse he was escaping from.
My shoulders roll, time to figure out what my fate is.
I either die here.
Somehow pass this test. The game. And the Queen can continue to use me for whatever is up her sleeve.
Or die trying to escape.
My hands shakily brush over the onyx suit they have hand-chosen for me this morning, knowing it’ll protect me from whatever beast is behind the caged door.
For a certain amount of time, at least. It’s just as my old one, however, both arms now show my skin, revealing not only my stones, but the scars and fresh wounds.
However, my leather gloves reach my elbows, which will protect anyone who touches me.
My fingers glide over the wristband the guard gave me before leaving. Damn it, I hope it isn’t the Fireninze that is chosen for me. I don’t think I’m ready, I was too distracted by what unfolded this morning during training.
There are too many steps to remember when it comes to the horse of fire. Too many risks. I fear the Queen shall pair me with the one that matches me, the one that burns.
The clattering of metal jugs brings my focus back, snapping my attention to the rocks that tremble off the ledges of the arena.
However, the people yelling my last name feel like a distant rumble, as if I am underwater in a deep cavern.
Drowning deeper and faster as their voices fade away into the darkness, but I am not underwater.
I am above ground in the scorching heat.
They are yelling, “Deskyiara.”
The rumors have spread, which will divide the Realms. Bring chaos. I know it. I feel it.
Most of them don’t, but some cheer for me. Flags whip in the air as they jump up and down, ready to watch me.
Rumors spread fast in the Realms. I remember that when the King announced my marriage to Florian, everyone knew once the sun set.
Once Florian remembers that I chose Koen centuries ago, I fear he will have his heart broken all over again.
I exhale, the heels of my midnight boots digging deeper in the ash beneath my feet, shattering the small gravel underneath. I pray to the Gods I am not standing where the person before me burned to death.
Let’s hope I am not next.
But the Queen needs me.
I know she does.
But do I believe that? Or am I just convincing myself she isn’t trying to kill me?
My heart beats out of my chest, and adrenaline pumps through my veins as I stand in the center of the arena.
The wind whips around me, carrying flecks of ash and debris that bite at my exposed skin.
I can barely make out the rocky ground beneath me as a strong gust circles around me, coating the ground with a layer of gray dust. Even my once black boots are now transformed into a lighter, ashen color from the constant brushing of fire remnants against them.
The loose strands of my slicked-back bun begin to sway in my eyes.
But I don’t even move, not for the slightest distraction that is making me tick with every view of the strands.
I must stay focused.
“Any minute…” I whisper, voice trembling. I swallow, but the lump inside my throat isn't budging, no matter how many times I try to force it down. Showing weakness is not an option.
I question the Gods, wondering why me? Why would they choose me to go through these trials, be forced not to love the man I do, and to have my parents ripped away from me?
What have I done to deserve this?
What have the Realms done to deserve the games besides the war?
My eyes burn as I look up into the crystal-blue sky that is beginning to fade to a charcoal gray.
The white clouds are transitioning into a midnight black.
They twist and roll like the waves that crashed against the cliff sides back home.
The thunder claps loudly and rumbles through the sky.
My shoulders roll as I stretch my neck side to side.
Slowly. Deliberately.
My body aches. A weak feeling flushes through me as I catch my fall with my right foot, the rocks slipping underneath my feet, threatening to throw me off balance. But I catch myself just in time for anyone to notice.
I cannot panic right now.
My dry lips part for a second, my tongue gliding along the dead skin that peels off my bottom lip as I inhale the smoky air.
Maybe I should have eaten.
Rocks begin to fall against the arena. I squint my eyes as I lock onto the cage that begins to sluggishly rise from the far edge of the stadium floor.
Damn it. It’s almost time. I know that somewhere within that structure is a divine horse, one of the four, that I must face.
The next step in the battle games that I have been thrown into.
Tossed into them without a say. They own me. The Queen, Lykia, Skie… my life now rests in their hands.
One day, their life shall rest in mine.
But until then, I’ll play their little games.
My teeth grind with the thought of riding one.
Nausea runs up my throat, burning the insides of my body, and I squeeze my eyes shut.
Thoughts flood my mind of the time I tried riding the mechanical bulls at the local pub back in hiding.
Alice would hold on for seconds longer than Tilly, but I, on the other hand, would fall the minute the ride started.
I cannot recall if the eyes of those who watched my every move made my stomach twist into knots, or if the sweat between my palms made it hard for me to hold on.
But if I cannot ride a fake object controlled by a man in a booth chugging a cold beer, how the hell do I expect myself to ride one of their beasts?
Damn, how I wish I could go back to before I knew the truth of everything. Now I understand, touching the stones has always been my purpose. It has always been my path. Even if I don’t want it to be. The Gods chose me.
My throat begins to beg for water while my skin soaks the sweat that sprinkles down my body like a current. The nerves have kicked in. There is no running from this.
However, thoughts of which one awaits me behind the metal bars race through my mind.
The ice, the fire, or the air, as we are nowhere near the ocean for the one that swims.
The cage rattles as the unknown behind its bars roars, snapping me back into survival mode.
I can feel the vibrations in my feet start to rattle up into my spine.
My heart thuds in my chest, almost in sync with the creature's low guttural sounds that travel to my ears.
My hands clench into fists repeatedly, in sync with my rapid breathing.
Nerves are rushing through my veins like wildfire.
My mind is racing with thoughts of what will happen once that gate is lifted.
Will they let me die?
Do they want me to die?
The crowd above is watching me intently, their eyes glued on me. Just like those from the bar.
They swarm around me in the stands like predators ready to pounce.
Hundreds of them. Most in battle gear, midnight-black, leather suits with multicolored stones along their arms. I remember them, those are the warriors of the Realm.
I recall Father working with them, especially when it came to protecting Tilly and I.
Some are in dresses, most likely those in cahoot with the Royals of Azure.
Yet, I know none of them.
Most of them hate me for what I have done. I’d hate me too.
“I can’t wait to watch you die!” a man croaks to my right. His voice sends chills down my spine.
I don’t flinch.
I won’t give in to what they want me to do. Which is to feel weak.
To believe I cannot do this.
Despite the pain it will cause me to remember, I take a deep breath and remind myself of the training I have undergone the past few days. Especially with the two of… them.
I clench my eyes shut, my fingers rolling into fists, digging into my palms. My lips part, breathing a deep breath that no matter what, I cannot call upon the dragons. I cannot use the powers inside of me. I am on my own.