Turns out, only a few days had passed since I got pregnant but a few more days had passed after their birth and my children were already pretty big with Musa nearing his previous fifteen year old self and Tal being ten.

This was probably because they were Glass entities.

They rapidly grew to reflect forms which best suited their souls and I was beyond relieved to see that their new forms resembled their old ones with the only changes being that they had crystalline skin and hair. They had also lost their genitalia although I suppose that was a fair trade for what was essentially an immortal body.

One thing that caused me concern was the fact that they hadn’t woken up since being born but I decided to be patient.

They were alive and they would eventually awaken and when they did, I would comfort them. That was my hope, at least.

But, in the meantime, I turned to Hatua, a large chunk of which had been charred.

A dark scar went across its center, marking the division between its northern and southern halves.

It was along this boundary that a terrible war raged.

Thousands of men and women were stationed along either sides of the scar.

Those to the north sported dark armour fitted with iron plates. Flying high atop their camps and their ranks were flags that bore the sigil of Hatua itself. An upward facing spear housed within a diamond.

Those to the south wore similar armour although since Life Magic enhancements were strictly limited, they were fitted with less metal plates.

They carried flags depicting a pangolin scale shield.

A large portion of both armies were stationed around the Crystal Lands although the region was still firmly in the North's control.

The rest of the war was taking place on the Northward Path, the road which Heziyn had built.

It proved invaluable for both sides since they were able to transport goods to the centre of the war without issue.

I turned to the capital of Hatua and I winced upon seeing the deep scar in the land which Ua had made during Musa’s abduction.

It was about twenty kilometres long and two kilometres wide.

Ua had gotten that powerful.

To the point where she could destroy out chunks of the ground.

Chunks of me.

I turned to the palace and peered into Ua’s chamber.

What was once an elegant display of all that she and her family had worked to build had become a dark and dirty space lit only by a handful of candles.

Laying half naked in the center of a pile dirty plates and clothes, was Ua.

Her reddened eyes were wide open and she stared at the ceiling unblinkingly.

“Your highness, a Fire Breaker seeks an audience with you!” A visibly exhausted Shangazi announced making Ua groan.

It was still quite early in the morning yet her curtains were closed, shrouding her in darkness.

She crawled onto her feet and made her way to the door which she opened without using her hands.

“And who does that Fire Breaker think he is to even imagine that I would give him any of my time-“

“He is the one we sent along with the Chofumah when they fled Hatua!” The Shangazi cried making Ua’s eyes widen a little.

“Oh? Bring him here-“

“But-“ The Shangazi tried saying while glancing at Ua’s immodest appearance but Ua’s eyes narrowed just a little and this was enough to silence the woman who bowed her head before walking down the hallway towards the central part of the palace.

Ua let out a sigh and dragged her feet back to her spot in the middle of her room.

She then plopped down and eyed the food around her that had long since gotten stale.

Her cheeks bad hollowed significantly and her eyes were baggy.

Her small frame was covered only by a single purple silk cloth and it revealed the true extent of her weight loss.

If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

The Shangazi eventually returned with a plate of food in hand and Pazia in tow.

“Come in.” Ua invited but her appearance seemingly troubled Pazia who lowered his gaze as he complied.

He knelt about three meters away from Ua while the Shangazi placed the plate of fresh food next to her.

The Shangazi then left the chamber which fell silent immediately after.

Ua kept her half open eyes on Pazia who remained mostly composed until Ua beckoned him.

“Come here.” She said through dry and cracked lips.

Pazia bit his teeth before taking a breath and moving closer to Ua although his gaze still avoided her.

“Look at me.”

Pazia did as instructed and it’s here that his composure tippled a little.

His eyes widened and his breaths became deeper as he peered into Ua’s eyes.

“I’m hungry.” Ua said with a pained wince.

“C-could you taste this for me?” She asked.

Pazia glanced at the plate and gently nodded.

He then wordlessly picked it up and ate a spoonful while Ua watched with a strange anticipation.

“While we wait, tell me what it is you came to tell me.”

Pazia detailed everything he had experienced ever since departing in one of Jua’s hundred ships.

As he spoke, he fed Ua her food and she ate while listening to him with an enthusiasm that almost returned the sparkle in her eyes.

“So… you survived that storm?” Ua asked after finishing her food.

“Yes, my Queen.”

“Ha! And the meerkats have the nerve to doubt the potential that is unlocked by Life Magic enhancements!” Ua laughed before quickly standing up but this caused her silk cloth to fall.

She completely ignored it and gave herself a nod.

“Alright. My general, Modo, is currently occupied on the front lines so I’ll need someone loyal by my side. Will you aid me once more, my brave warrior?” Ua asked with a warm smile.

Pazia’s eyes shook.

“Yes, my Queen-“

“No. I have recently learnt that titles mean little when it comes to Loyalty. I would like you to help me, not as your Queen but as someone you could one day call your friend and ally.”

Pazia stood frozen for a moment.

Ua reached out to him with a single hand and without hesitation, he accepted it.

“Yes, Ua.” Pazia said making Ua’s smile brighten.

“Good. Now, tell me more about Uyil Torsion.” She said while leading Pazia out of the chamber.

They would go on to spend the rest of the day together but while they did that, I turned my focus to the south.

Like Ua said, Modo – the most of elite of Fire Breakers, was leading her armies in the Crystal Lands although he was much bigger than before.

It seemed as though, to make him even stronger, Ua had pumped him full of Life Energy and to keep him from bloating and popping, she bound his body in iron armor. Everything was bound except his face and hands.

I heard whispers in both armies refer to him as “The Iron Breaker”.

It was a fitting name but while his abilities as a warrior had probably increased, it seemed as though he was a good general based of how his men spoke of him and how well he defended the Crystal Lands.

His transformation was also undoubtedly excruciatingly painful but he seemed to be able to maintain his sanity as he led his men.

I turned to the south but as I did, I noticed something that caught my interest to the far east.

Situated at the bottom of a deep and shaded valley was a construction project of some sort and standing next to it was Akili – son of Thabiti and ex General of Ua’s armies. Next to him was a short woman clad in a form fitting dark grey outfit. Her head was covered in a pale grey head wrap.

As for Akili himself, he wore a black coat and had short hair which looked like it had been burnt to that length.

His skin was also lined in healing burn scars which he left uncovered by bandages.

He has earned the name “Incinerator” since everything that was touched by his fire was completely charred.

He wasn’t the only leader of the Southern Armies but he held the second highest authority.

An authority which he used to valiantly keep the Northern Army from trampling over all those who had chosen to rebel.

It was obviously him who had scorched the land and I learnt that the only thing that stopped him from burning all of the Northern Army to cinders was Ua herself and their clash nearly tore the continent in two.

“I still don’t understand why you all have be women.” He sighed while crossing his arms.

The woman – she who had trained the first Ilem, didn’t respond and continued to gaze at what eventually become the training grounds for the Ilem.

“In any case, you should have everythin you need, so goodbye for now. May we ultimately reunite in Our Lady’s embrace on the planes of Nurukes.” Akili said and the Ilem finally responded with a nod.

Akili nodded back before making his way to a caravan which he would join on their journey back to Kimbilio.

Speaking of which, I turned my gaze to the southern city and watched as a visibly exhausted Ed attended a meeting with Kuhani – once highest of Ua’s Shangazi in rank, and her husband, Jicho.

The three were in Ed’s office and they all wore grim expressions.

Kuhani was dressed in an dark brown gown and wore a black head wrap for some reason.

The only explanation I could think of at the time was that she had personally stripped herself of her rank among the Blessed Sisters.

“Initial reports are painting a most frightening picture. The veins of Glass Mjumbe Mountains to the west are far too short and thin to dedicate any extended amount of time to and searching the east for a miracle is also not an option. We need the Crystal Lands for it is they who will choose this war’s Victor.” Kuhani said as her husband sat cross legged and with a hanging head.

“The Glass War.” He muttered.

“A War against cruelty and madness.”

Ed took a deep breath and closed his eyes.

“What would Heziyn say in this moment? What would she do?” He muttered to himself before eventually letting out a sigh.

“Life… the preservation of life should be our duty not only because Our Lady expects as much from us but because it is what’s right. But Ua would see to it that we fail that duty. Now, my ramblings aside, I think we may have to disappoint our friend Akili and go fot a more indirect approach.”

“What do you have in mind?” Jicho asked with a raised brow.

“It was the Ilem who aided Heziyn in her daring escape and I believe it is they who will prove instrumental in our counter offensive.”

Both Kuhani and Jicho let out intrigued drones as Ed sat upright.

“They will once again soar so that Ua may fall.”

The cogs were moving and the hour was near.

I felt as though I could see the very strings of fate being pulled into motion although I don’t think that I nor anyone else could have foreseen the outcome.

I wanted to turn to Y’shuah and see what was going on over there but I instantly returned to my Glass body as my children finally awoke.

My heart then sank because just as soon as they opened their eyes, they both began to cry.