As they walked into the other room, she saw a grand tomb with golden, glowing flowers hanging all around. Xylas whispered, “These are called tomb jewels. They grow in a forest nearby.” They were breathtaking. As she walked further, she saw a stone carving of her mother. It was nowhere near as great as having a picture, but at least she could see what she sort of looked like. Her curls were wild, and her freckles were in the same pattern as Viri’s. She reached up to touch her mother’s face. She heard Ephraim speak quietly, “You have her spirit. You have your father’s strength and a decent chunk of his looks, but in the short time that I've known you, I’ve seen that you have your mother’s penchant for protecting those you love. She spent her dying strength holding onto you and keeping you safe.”

She felt tears streaming down her face for a woman she didn’t know, who somehow felt so familiar. Another feeling to add to the list of those that needed unpacking. She heard Ephraim walk away, giving her space. Xylas asked if he wanted her to do the same. “I may very well fall over if you aren’t holding me, and honestly, I'd rather have you here in this moment with me.” She looked up at him and he wiped her tears away. She tried her best to smile and joked, “Isn’t that what the elderly are good for anyway? Helping the youth.” He smiled broadly and flicked her on the forehead. She laughed as he leaned down and kissed her. As if her temperature wasn’t high enough, that kiss made her feel hotter. He leaned up again and said, “No matter who your parents were, you are still the most amazing being I’ve ever known in my whole life – magical bond or not. I hope to spend the rest of my life proving that to you.” She squeezed him tight and instantly regretted it, cringing at the pain that shot through her. Xylas chuckled and told her to take it easy.

She looked back at the tomb, feeling like she needed to say a few words, but what could she possibly say? Thanks for giving me away to save me? Actually. That’s exactly what she should say. She took a deep breath and touched her mother’s face again. “Thank you, Helera, for loving me enough to save me. I hope you’ve been looking down on us to know that your best friend has made an incredible mother. I couldn’t have been happier for all this time. I hope I've become someone that made you proud and made it worth it. Thank you for everything.”

She looked up at Xylas and he leaned in to kiss her again. She could get used to this. She arched her back and groaned a little from the pain, which made him immediately stop kissing her. She pouted and he laughed. “Come on, let’s go find Alyson.” She pouted a little more as they turned around and he helped her slowly make her way to the exit. Somehow, she continued to get even hotter. How was that even possible? Xylas must’ve felt her fever worsen because he picked her up without even asking and carried her out of the tomb, past the jewel remnants, and back out into the hallway where Alyson was. “You can put me down now.” He looked down at her and smirked. “I’d like to continue making it to our destination at a speed faster than a snail, so no thanks.”

She rolled her eyes and Alyson sprung up beside her and pinched her cheek. The pain that shot through her was short-lived as another wave of pain hit her head from Alyson screaming, “YOU’RE BURNING UP!” Viri finished cringing as the headache lessened again, slightly. “Yeah, I’ve got a lot to catch you up on.” Alyson waved her off. “I made Ephraim tell me the details when he walked out earlier. I just didn’t realize your fever would be so bad.” She chuckled some, which made Alyson smile and say, “Come on. Let’s get you back to your room so you can tell me your version of it. Ephraim will check in later after he’s done resting.” She nodded and Alyson turned to lead the way.

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

She took half step when a huge blast hit the temple. It felt like the entire temple rocked as the three of them fell and sirens began going off everywhere. Ifrit went running like crazy toward where the blast hit. Xylas was immediately up, and he looked at Alyson, who was sitting up and said “Watch Viri. I’ll be right back.” She glared at them both. “I’m not a child.” She tried and failed to get up on her own as Alyson came over and helped her up. “Yeah. A child would be nicer.” She looked at Alyson and despite the humor in her voice, there was so much concern on her face. “Come on. Let’s go see what’s happening.” Alyson’s eyes widened. “Are you crazy? You’re in no position to be on the front lines of anything right now.” Viri waved off her concern. “I don’t need to be on the front lines. We can just walk close enough to see if it’s a gas leak or an enemy.” Alyson bit her lip, contemplating it, so she pressured her even more. “Come on. You know you want to see it. We’ll look and then turn right back around.” Alyson sighed and threw her arm around Viri’s waist, and they began walking.

As they got closer, they could hear swords clanging and blasts of power rattling the structure. They looked at each other and both mouthed, “Enemy.” Alyson held her tighter as they walked. Bricks were slowly crumbling in areas around them from the initial blast to the temple. They made it to a giant hole in the wall and saw hundreds of Ifrit fighting with large, pitch-black, monstrous-looking goblins. It was a war zone. She was frozen. She couldn’t believe her eyes. It was so peaceful just a moment ago. Panic hit her cold as ice. She scanned for Xylas, hoping he was okay. This would normally be a time when people would pray, but she’d just become the very thing they’d pray to so gods wouldn’t help her here. Not that she’d waste the effort praying to them away.

She took a small step forward and Alyson clutched her so hard that she immediately stopped. She looked at Alyson with pleading eyes, and she heard the anguish in her voice as she spoke. “I have to find him. Please, Aly. I have to know that he’s okay. You don’t have to come with me. You need to stay safe, but I can’t stay here without knowing if he’s okay.” Alyson stared back at her, and her shoulders visibly sank as she gave in to Viri’s request. They began walking together to find Xylas. They were eerily quiet as if that would keep them from being seen amongst the clanging swords and wings of skin and fire alike flapping as they fought in the skies. They came to a quick halt when a goblin was sent flying in front of them. As he hit the ground, bricks fell and crushed him, and he didn’t get back up. They started back walking and this time Alyson pushed them along a little faster.

Every step sent a sharp pain through her, and she was sweating like a golem, but she wouldn’t complain. She had to find Xylas. They walked across, quickly scanning the area until finally, she saw Xylas and Ephraim towards the front. They both looked tired, especially Ephraim. She didn’t know how he was even fighting right now when their battle wasn’t that long ago. She needed to help. She tried to run, and Alyson caught her before she fell. “We can’t Vi-vi. You’re too weak right now. You’d only cause more trouble for someone trying to protect you, and right now that someone is me.” Viri knew she was right, but as she turned back towards Xylas, she saw a golden mist shimmering right behind the goblins in front of them. She almost dropped to her knees at the sight. It was the same golden mist from her vision of the Vermillion Queen. It was Alicantas.