CHAPTER NINE
THE KINGDOM UNDER THE LAKE
The answer to the prophecy was hidden beneath the Lake of Mirrors.
Elara, Kael, Lucan, and Mira traveled there.
They discovered an underwater kingdom inhabited by ancient magical beings.
The Queen of the Lake revealed the truth.
"The prophecy was misunderstood."
Elara asked,
"Then what does it really say?"
The queen replied,
"The Heartbearer does not need to choose between worlds."
"Then what must I do?"
"She must teach both worlds to feel again."
Elara realized what that meant.
She couldn't simply escape her old world.
She had to save it.
But the Shadow King appeared.
Darkness swallowed the lake.
Kael fought desperately.
Elara reached for him.
"Kael!"
A shadow struck him.
He fell.
Elara screamed.
Golden energy exploded around her.
The lake began glowing.
The Shadow King vanished.
But Kael wasn't moving.
Elara dropped beside him.
"No."
She held his face.
"Please."
His eyes slowly opened.
"Did I miss something?"
Elara laughed and cried at the same time.
"You idiot."
Kael smiled.
"I love you too."
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