The next morning, the Royal Guard escorted her back to the Temple after she had slept in the Royal Manor. She entered the front doors and was greeted by the guards who bowed before her.
"My Queen," they said.
She nodded. "I need to speak with the High Priest."
"My Queen, I must tell thee that High Priest Matiyahu was assigned by Timur to attend duties in Sariel. We have sent word of your coronation and of Timur’s death, but it shall take at least a day for the courier to return word.”
Lily nodded in understanding. "Very well. Thank you."
The guards left her standing in the hall and made their way back to their posts.
She sighed and looked up at the ceiling.
I feel so overwhelmed. I don't know where to begin.
She looked down at her hands and saw that they were trembling.
She wiped the moisture away from her face and shook her head.
I cannot let this fear of mine control me.
She walked over to the windows and looked out at the city below. She saw people moving about in the streets, most carrying bundles of wood and building materials. She spotted a group of men setting up scaffolding along the sides of buildings, and she could see them repairing the years of damage and neglect caused by Timur and his followers.
What had happened to the Creed of Nephilim anyway? Where had they escaped to?
She turned and looked at Tiamat still sleeping in the corner of the room.
I don't even know what to do.
She closed her eyes and let out a sigh.
It seems so strange.
Although she was still surprised that dragons really existed, after just a few days with Tiamat she had grown to love the dragon and knew that she would always be by her side. She wondered what her life would have been like without her.
Would I still be the same person?
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She walked over and opened the balcony door, letting in a cool breeze into the room. She took a deep breath and inhaled the scent of the ocean, knowing that she was safe at last.
She looked down at the courtyard and noticed that everything was now quiet. She could hear the waves crashing in the distance, and the wind blowing through the trees.
Lily smiled to herself and walked over to the balcony railing. She leaned on it and looked out at the Tethys Sea. Her heart raced, thinking about the adventure that lay ahead of her. She felt alive and excited to start her journey.
She took a deep breath and looked down at the ground far below.
She felt a sense of loss as she thought about how Timur had murdered Allan in cold blood. A tear slid down her cheek, and she wiped it away.
She inhaled deeply and let out a sigh.
I'm not going to let this defeat me.
Her thoughts were interrupted by a loud knock on the door.
"Come in," she said.
One of the guards entered the room and bowed. "My Queen, we shall commence the funeral services within the hour.”
She raised an eyebrow, “For whom?”
“Why, for thy husband, King Timur.” one of the guards explained, “Praytell, ‘tis customary to honor the kings of the land with a grand funeral, and King Timur’s body shall be laid in a tomb.”
“Right, of course.” she grimaced, “And what about Allan?”
“I know not this Al-lan thou dost speak of.”
“The man who challenged Timur.” she queried, “What have you done with his body?”
“You speak of the King’s killer?” he frowned, “His body shall be cast to the beasts of the forests to devour!”
They don’t know I was the one who killed Timur!
“No!” she stammered, “No, please don’t do that.”
The guard raised an eyebrow. “My Queen, what dost thou desire to do with this traitor’s body?”
“Please preserve his body in the tomb too.”
“But my Queen!” he spat, “The grand tomb is preserved only for the Kings of this land!”
“Just do it.”
The guard looked shocked, “As thou dost wish, my Queen.”
He bowed and marched out of the room, leaving Lily alone with her thoughts.
She looked down at the floor and breathed in deeply.
How am I supposed to do this?
She looked over at the Sword of Mars sitting on a pedestal, the weapon that had killed her beloved.
What if I can't?
Lily sank to her knees, and her shoulders began to shake.
What have I gotten myself into?
She placed her hand over her mouth in shock and her eyes filled with tears.
I'm sorry, Allan...
She tried to compose herself.
No, no! This isn't real!
She sat there on her knees, sobbing.
Oh Allan, why did you have to die?!
She wiped the tears from her face and stood up.
Suddenly, her augmented HUD lit up with a message in her NeuReality vision.
CyberBolt Entertainment servers are back online. Do you wish to log into Conquest?
Yes | No
She raised an eyebrow in confusion.
But this is Zion, not Earth. How are the game servers active? That would indicate that there were CyberBolt satellites in orbit around the planet! This is impossible.
Lily's mind raced with questions.
Where are these servers located? Tiamat destroyed the ones in the Control Room below. There must be another hub somewhere.
She ran her fingers through her hair and stepped away from the window.
I need to know what's going on.
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