Lily and Tiamat stood on the roof of the Temple overlooking the city of Atlantis. A thick fog hung low on the horizon, and the city was bathed in a soft light from the setting sun.

Lily watched with curiosity as the citizens of Atlantis began to flood the streets. They were coming out of their homes, and beginning to rebuild their lives.

She turned to the dragon. "How long do you think it will take them to recover?"

We shall show them the way, my Queen. We can bring them hope once more.

“Why do you keep calling my your Queen?” she asked.

Because you are the rightful heir to the throne due to thy marriage to Timur.

“But that was a sham wedding! I was forced to go through with it!”

Thou art no longer bound by his spell. These people doth need a leader, and Allan was supposed to become their new King. Now that both heirs have fallen by sword, it is thy duty to lead them.

Lily looked down at her feet and sighed.

She looked back up at Tiamat. "What if they don't want me to be their ruler?"

I shall become thy consort, my Queen. I will protect thee from all harm.

She smiled at the thought of being protected by a dragon.

"I don't know if I can bear the thought of being anyone's queen, especially after everything that has happened."

Why dost thou seem distraught?

She shrugged her shoulders. "I guess I always pictured myself living alone, always working in secret for the government and never having a life of my own. That's how I imagined my life turning out."

I hath seen thy destiny, my Queen. I know the path thy life will take. Thou art destined to rule all of humanity, my Queen.

Lily's eyes widened. "That's not possible."

Thou dost not have a choice, my Queen. Thy fate is already carved in stone.

She felt a rush of dread as she envisioned her future. She looked up at the sky and saw the moon shimmering in the night's sky.

She walked over to the edge and gazed into the distance.

"What does this mean?" she asked.

It means that thou art destined to become the new Queen of both Earth and Zion.

"But I don't want to be Queen!" she exclaimed.

Thou must accept thy destiny, my Queen. It is for the greater good of mankind.

"Why do you keep saying that?" she asked.

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Because I am the Keeper of Destiny. I am here to guide thee through the unknown.

"I don't understand. Do you know something about my future that I don't?" she asked.

No. But I dost know that thou dost have a role to play in saving our world.

"What do you mean?" she asked.

I doth not know the details, my Queen. All I know is that thou dost need to fulfill thy destiny.

She looked out to the city again. She could see people moving about in the distance. They were rebuilding, starting over. There was a sense of hope in their eyes.

She felt a strong emotion welling up in her chest. She wanted to run over to them and help in whatever way she could.

Tiamat nudged her arm.

Come, my Queen. We must return to the Temple courtyard.

"Why?" she asked.

There are many of the Priests who hath learned of Timur’s demise, and desire to proceed with the coronation.

She looked down to the city again and saw a crowd of people gathering on the steps of the temple. She could hear them chanting a ritual song in an old Hebrew dialect.

She felt a tinge of sadness as she thought of her old life and the things she had lost.

She looked up at Tiamat. "You're right. This is my destiny. I just wish it wasn't so difficult."

The dragon smiled down at her.

The day has come, my Queen.

She took a deep breath and held her head high. "Yes. It has."

They descended from the rooftop of the temple and made their way back down the steps. People gathered around and cheered when they saw her. She waved at them and continued walking toward the courtyard.

A group of priests approached her, and she could tell that they were trying their hardest to be respectful.

"We are here to officially welcome you as our new Queen," one of the men said. "We've been waiting for your arrival for thy anointing.”

“Thank you. I'm honored." she said.

Together, they led her to the center of the courtyard where the altar had once again been moved. One of the priests stepped forward and cleared his throat.

"Welcome, Queen Lily," he said.

He raised his hands over his head and chanted the ancient words of the ritual. The rest of the priests joined in.

“I call upon the heavens, the earth, and the sea to witness this day and declare unto thee thine inauguration. The god of fate hath deemed thee worthy of ruling over all mortals. Thou dost now accept thy role as Queen of Atlantis and all of humanity. I now anoint thee as such."

The other priests surrounded her, and placed their hands on her shoulders. One of the priests held a vial of olive oil in his hands, and he poured a small amount on her head. Another priest brought forth a golden crown resting on velvet pillow. He placed it on the altar, and then the priests chanted the ancient words.

Lily looked down at the crown and examined the intricate detail that had gone into crafting it.

She reached out and touched it, feeling the smooth finish of the gold. It was exquisite, and she felt a sense of pride looking at it.

"May this symbol of royalty bring honor and glory to you and to all those who wear it." one of the priests said.

She nodded and two of the priests carefully placed it on her head.

She raised her head and looked at the people waiting patiently in the courtyard.

"I'd like to address everyone now," she told them.

The priests nodded, and stepped back.

“I know what you must be going through.” She spoke boldly, “Your lives have been torn apart by war and destruction. I'm sorry for all that you have endured, and for the pain you have suffered because of Timur and his followers. But there is hope! I intend to make things better for you. I promise you that I will do everything in my power to restore order to your world, and bring your families together once again."

She heard cheering and clapping all around her, and she smiled.

"I can't change the past, but I can help guide the future.” she continued, “If you'll allow me, I'd like to start by offering you my protection. I won't tolerate any more violence or persecution against my people. I shall put a stop to it once and for all. I also pledge to work tirelessly to bring prosperity to this land, and help rebuild your cities. It may take time, but I will do everything in my power to help you all get back on your feet."

She turned and faced Tiamat. "Will you swear to protect my people?"

She nodded with her massive head.

Yes, my Queen.

She looked out to the crowd. "From this day forward, my people are under the protection of Tiamat the dragon."

She watched as the people cheered and applauded. Some of them cried tears of joy as they embraced her and thanked her. Others chanted “All hail the Queen!”

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