After she closed the calling relic, Sharra immediately ran up the steps to the West Wing and found Emmar sitting on the bed in the Grand Bedroom.

“I have to go, my love.” She announced as she opened the door.

Emmar, who had already dressed herself into a blush nightgown, quickly stood from the bed. “What? What has happened?”

Sharra closed the door behind her and made her way to where Emmar was standing,

“I'll be back.” Sharra said. “But I have to go.”

Emmar grabbed onto Sharra’s hands. “What’s wrong? Has someone called? Is it Clara?”

Sharra shook her head. “It’s Ravyna. She requires my presence.”

“Do you want me to come?”

“No. It’s fine.” Sharra objected quickly. “I’m going to fly back.”

Emmar looked Sharra up and down. “Are you sure? In that dress?”

Sharra nodded.

Emmar inched closer and placed a hand on Sharra’s chest. “Your heart is racing. I must come with you.”

Sharra covered Emmar’s hand with her own.

“I’ll be fine.” Sharra responded. “But keep an eye on Annalae. Despite everything, she did love Kilé once.”

Emmar nodded. “Of course.”

Sharra gave Emmar a quick kiss on the cheek. “I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

“Promise?”

Sharra nodded, then dropped her hand from Emmar’s hand.

“By the way, Annalae told me about a man in a cloak. You should see what that’s about.”

Emmar nodded again, then placed a soft kiss on Sharra’s lips.

“Be back soon.” She whispered.

Sharra stepped away and walked to the window.

She placed one foot out followed by the other.

But before she lept, as her feet dangled on the ledge, she turned to Emmar and said,

“You can stay in Thalassia if that’s what you truly desire.”

***

Sharra didn’t like flying on her own. Instead, she preferred to ride her birds, particularly the eldest child of Janel called Mana. But Sharra left Mana back in Thalassia, so she had no other choice but to fly herself.

When she finally crossed over the Thalassian Sea, she decided to land in Yuca, a small town in Thalassia. Yuca was one of the few towns that had a secret gate to Galassia. When she crossed over to Galassia, she landed near a frozen sea.

“Ravyna!” She yelled after she ventured further inside.

Her voice echoed and caused a strong gust of wind that shook Galassia.

After eleven seconds, Ravyna appeared behind her.

“I’m here.” She announced.

Sharra jumped at the sound of her voice before turning around.

When she turned around, she saw Ravyna’s icy hands were empty.

“Where is it then?”

Ravyna held out her hand. “Come. Let me show you.”

Sharra took it and let Ravyna lead her in the direction of the object.

Ravyna took her across the frozen sea and led her to the Frost Tree of Time, a beautiful gift by the goddess Yuitra. A time transporting tree.

As soon as they arrived, Sharra spotted a box sitting underneath.

Sharra bent down and took a closer look. She noticed there was a written phrase written on the lid in the language of the old Gods.

“Pœn iŵ. Gán sen.” Death Comes. Judgment Arrives.

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Sharra anxiously picked up the box.

As she did, Ravyna noticed another tiny inscription on the other side.

“To an old friend.” She read outloud.

Sharra rocked the box side to side. “I can feel its power.”

“It’s strong, isn’t it?”

Sharra nodded. “Shall I open it?”

“Slowly.” Ravyna answered. “It may not be whole but its power is still potent.”

Sharra closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

When she was finally ready, she carefully removed the lid.

And there it was. Forbidden, lost power. A fragment of the lost Crown of Damnation, an ancient crown that had already resulted in the deaths of thousands. A crown crafted by the crafty God, Sfin.

Sharra immediately shut the box and handed it to Ravyna.

“We cannot let this leave Galassia.” Sharra rushed out. “And we must keep this a secret from everyone….I mean everyone.”

Ravyna placed the box back underneath the tree.

“What do you want me to do?” She asked.

Sharra started to pace back and forth. After a minute passed by, she finally said,

“I haven’t been truthful, Ravyna.”

Ravyna’s body stiffened. “Sorry?”

Sharra darted her eyes to the box then back at Ravyna.

“There’s more to the crown.”

“What do you mean?” Ravyna asked slowly.

Sharra stopped pacing. “Rosar came to see me.”

“Rosar.” She repeated slowly. “Why?”

“About the crown.”

Ravyna’s eyes narrowed. “What about the crown?”

Sharra took a seat under the tree. “War is coming, Ravyna. It has been seen.”

“A war?”

Sharra slowly nodded.

“And when this war comes, a divine being called the Duad Incarnate will rise….” She continued. “….this being will wear the lost crown and possess all consuming power. And in the wrong hands, it leads to destruction.”

Ravyna started to massage her neck. “And in the right hands?”

“Harmony.”

Ravyna blew out her cheeks then took a seat next to Sharra. The two sat in silence for a long time before Rosar spoke up again.

“So, Rosar is the one who told you to check here?”

Sharra nodded.

Ravyna blew out another breath. “I’m confused, my child. Why isn’t Rosar certain about who finds and mends the crown? Is she not looking for it?”

“According to Rosar, the conclusion has not been written….” Sharra explained. “the winds of prophecy currently flow in three directions.”

“The conclusion has not been written.” Ravyna repeated after her, a hint of sarcasm in her voice. “What does that mean?”

Sharra shrugged her shoulders. “Rosar only said it is her wish that I find it before the Desert King does.”

“I’m so tired of her vagueness.” Ravyna groaned. “I am so confused, my child.” Ravyna breathed.

Sharra laughed. “Who are you telling?”

“Well this explains your recent obsession with war…..and why you want to keep your hold on Benna. Who else knows about this?”

Sharra leaned her head against the tree. “Tyran.”

“Of course.” Ravyna snorted. “Well, this makes your decision much harder.”

“What do you mean?”

“If you successfully destroy it, that power will be lost forever. But….”

“But?”

“If Rosar is telling the truth, if that power is the path to restoring harmony to Arla after whatever danger….” Ravyna paused. “you can’t destroy it, my child.”

“I know.” Sharra sighed. “I know.”

At that moment, a shower of stars fell from the midnight sky.

“We cannot let that Desert King mend the crown.” Ravyna mumbled as they watched the stars fall.

Sharra turned her entire body towards Ravyna. “What if he already found the remaining pieces? What if he is killing those people?”

Ravyna grabbed Sharra’s hand and squeezed. “Well, we deal with it.”

Sharra squeezed back.

“Do you trust Rosar?”

“I have to.” Sharra murmured. “If I don’t and she’s right, there will be no more Isle. We must be prepared.”

“So, what’s next? What do you want to do”

“We have to find the remaining pieces.” Sharra answered.

“Which means…..”

“We have to go where it all began.”

“The Desert.” They said at the same time.

A wide grin suddenly split Ravyna’s face.

Sharra cocked her head. “Why are you smiling?”

“Obviously, it is I who must go and investigate.” Ravyna answered. “You have to get back to Benna.”

Sharra slowly let go of Ravyna’s hand. “What are you saying? You never leave Galassia.”

“Well darling, everything has changed. Hasn't it?”

“Are you sure?” Sharra asked slowly.

Ravyna nodded. “You have to get back to Emmar. I’m pretty sure she misses you.”

Sharra laughed. “Well, she’s kind of mad at me.”

Ravyna’s eyes burrowed. “What do you mean?”

“It’s a long story.” Sharra answered. “Are you sure you want to go? Shadowshifters live there, you know.”

“Darling, I’m an omen.” Ravyna laughed. “Nothing in the Desert can scare me.”

Sharra leaned over and pulled Ravyna into a hug.

“If you need me, just call.” She whispered as they hugged. “The Desert may be our allies….but history has shown they are cannibals who will eat their own.”