SEVEN YEARS AGO

Clear the skies.

Those were the words Sharra’s mother, Arra, whispered to her just moments after she inherited the essence of the Goddess Skyra. The Inheritance, as Islers call it, was an electrifying event. Arlans, all over, watched the night sky turn into a marvelous spectacle. Dazzling bursts of sparks lit up the dark blue sky, followed by roaring waves of thunder, as the new Incarnate was born. The lightning show went on for eight hours, all while stars, hidden by the clouds, were falling and exploding into green dust, ushering in a new era. Once Sharra fully regained her senses, she turned to her mother and said, I won’t hide my emotions, mother. Let the skies be a window.

It rained everyday for one year.

***

PRESENT DAY

After Mesyla’s coronation was over, unlike the others, Queen Sharra and Emmar decided to travel back to their home that same night. As soon as they reached the northeastern coast of Arla, their boat was already waiting for them, ready to take them across the Eastern Sea and back to Thalassia.

As they traveled, the night sky was as beautiful it could be. Green and teal stars lit up the night sky, while the moon cast its soft glow across the Eastern Sea, its waters very calm and quiet, signifying that Elyis, one of the eldritch serpent sea-born abominations birthed by Skyra, was resting.

Once Sharra and Emmar finally made it to the coast of Thalassia, where the Grand Palace of the Isle stood, eight guards were standing and waiting to welcome their Queen home.

“My Queen.” A tall, gray haired man beamed. He was wearing white, light armor that perfectly suited his gray hair. As members of the Queen’s guard, it was mandatory for guards to dye their hair gray to match their Sovereign.

“Johnathan.” Sharra acknowledged.

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As she stepped out of the boat, she removed her shoes and handed them off to Johnathan. She loved feeling the coarse sand under her feet. When she was younger, she told her sister that the touch of the sand helped remind her that this life is hers and real…and one day, to be washed away, like everything in Arla.

Once everything was removed from the boat, they began making their way towards the palace. As they did, another gentleman, standing on the right side of Sharra, closed the gap between them and whispered to Sharra, “My Queen, another body has appeared.”

His name was Tyran, the Queen’s favorite and Guardian of the Elusa Pond. A mystical pond that only four people know of its existence and exact location.

Sharra immediately stopped walking and turned her entire body to Tyran. She stared at him for a very long moment. Tyran nodded, confirming what he just whispered to her. Sharra closed her eyes and let out a loud goan, releasing a wave of thunder, startling everyone.

“Everyone leave us be.” She ordered loudly.

The rest of the guards nodded and scurried back to the palace, while Emmar just stood there. Once Sharra noticed, she walked towards Emmar and grabbed her hands.

“I’ll see you back in the palace.” She said softly.

“Are you sure? Is everything okay?” Emmar rushed out. She kept looking back and forth between Sharra and Tyran.

“Of course.” Sharra assured her.

Emmar tilted her head. After a moment of thinking to herself, she opened her mouth once more. “I guess I can go check on Belle until you return.” Belle, her horse.

Sharra smiled and cusped Emmar’s left cheek, “Give her a kiss for me.”

Emmar nodded.

Sharra removed her hand and Emmar walked away. Once she was out of sight, Sharra turned her attention back to Tyran.

“Now tell me, does this one not look like us as well?”

“It’s better I show you.” Tyran responded slowly.

***

While Tyran and Sharra were walking to Elusa Pond, Emmar took a detour on her way to see Belle. On her way, she felt a bit off. For months now, Emmar and Sharra had gotten closer and been attached to the hip. But Emmar wasn’t blind. She noticed whenever Tyran came around, Sharra would push her away.

Sharra is hiding something. I know it. She kept thinking to herself.

Halfway through the detour, Emmar made a stop behind an ally of a very popular tavern…now standing next to a blue door. She removed her cloak, closed her eyes, and transformed into her true form as the Incarnate of the Goddess Desire. A terrifying appearance for the average Arlan. The sight of her red-colored skin, empty eye sockets, and three tongues, an ominous sign for those she revealed her appearance to.

Once she was fully transformed, she began to repeatedly mutter a short phrase in a high pitched voice,

My Desire, Come see Me. The Blue Door.

To be continued.