Chapter 8
eight
The sun dips low on the horizon, casting a warm golden glow across the waters breaching out from the sands in front of us.
The Doorway of Aka was created when I created Midaeliea.
Once there were too many here who dared to argue, and so more space was needed.
Made of white stone with symbols and Antihana language to help imbue it with the transportation method between the two.
My heart races as I step closer, the soft sound of waves lapping against the shore.
Thesix walks beside me, his presence an ever calming force against the storm I know is coming.
I glance at him, his blue eyes giving me reassurance.
I take a deep breath, grounding myself as he takes my hand, squeezing it gently.
The air thickens between us as Atlas appears on the opposite side of the Doorway, stepping through from Midaeliea with arrogant confidence.
His silver crown remains atop his head, as if he truly intends to rule Ashonera alone.
But it’s the woman that steps through to stand beside him that sends ice through my veins.
Her hair no longer flickers with living flame but shines bright red against her honey-beige skin. But I would recognize those amber eyes anywhere.
“Hello again, Drāhēn?.” Her voice carries across the beach.
I feel Thesix tense beside me, his hand tightening around mine.
“Didn’t realize Khaysus gave toneos such status, Kya.” I say. “Last I saw you were on his lap as an accessory.”
Her smile widens, sharp and predatory, never reaching her eyes. “Been a long time.”
“How are you here, Kya?” I demand, drawing myself to my full height, feeling the water respond to my rising emotions.
“He sent me, of course.” She examines her fingernails with affected casualness. “Can’t come himself yet … but soon. He’s currently–” She pauses, looking skyward as if searching for the perfect word, “– occupied at home.”
A cold knot forms in my stomach. “Causing trouble in Mohasha?” The thought of my siblings facing Khaysus alone makes my heart constrict.
“Something like that.” Her smile turns cruel.
Atlas steps forward, deliberately positioning himself between Kya and me. The movement is calculated, a simple statement of allegiance.
“Atlas,” I say, my voice low with warning. “Step aside. Whatever they’ve promised you –”
“Is more than you ever offered,” he cuts in. His eyes, once warm with kindness, now burn with something dark. “Did you think I would simply accept your rejection? That I would watch you choose him–” he jerks his head toward Thesix, “–over me?”
I feel water gathering in my palm, “This isn’t about rejection. This is about your pride.”
“Tsk … tsk … wrong, my Goddess.” He counters. “This is about power. More than you will ever have.”
“What have you done?” I whisper, watching as a flicker of orange dances between his fingers.
Atlas smiles, extending his hand. A small flame erupts from his palm, dancing and swirling unnaturally. It’s not the pure, primal fire of Khaysus, nor even the flames Kya owns … but a corrupted imitation.
“Impressive, isn’t it?” Pride covers his voice. “Turns out you’re not the only god who will soon walk Ashonera.”
“That is not your magic to yield.” I counter.
“It is now,” Atlas says, his eyes never leaving mine. “I gave my heart to someone who actually gave me something in return.”
“You do not know what you’ve done,” I say, water swirling around my hand. “The damage Khaysus will cause –”
“The damage?” Atlas laughs, bitter and cold. “Oh, how cute you think I care. I agree with him. You’ve been too weak with your constituents. Wanting to be their mother, their friend, their goddess … but that’s not what will make people obey Drāhēn?! Fear, as I’m learning, is how one should rule.”
Kya watches our exchange with obvious delight, her amber eyes gleaming.
“Kya, you know exactly what Khaysus will do to this place.”
“Rule it.” She says simply, “With this one by his side.”
“See Drāhēn?, he’s promised to let me rule with him.” Atlas says.
“I let you rule beside me!” I say, my voice carrying a tone of hatred I’ve not heard in so long.
“No, you let me pretend to rule. As long as I was kind, loving … etcetera.” He says, flames now rising higher in his palm as he turns his hand towards the ground.
“You’ll be nothing but a puppet!” I say again, but already know that nothing I say will convince him. Not now, not with this man who stands in front of me. He looks the same, but everything is different. I don't even see the beat of his heart along the vein in his neck as he seethes at me.
“Last chance, Atlas,” I warn, the water forming a sphere above my palm. “Step away from her. Come back to Antalis. We can fix this.”
Atlas blasts a line of fire from where he stands along the ground to just inches from my feet, where water pooled quickly extinguishing the flames there. “No Drāhēn?. This is just the beginning.”