The following day, she decided to go to The Vizen instead of waiting inside Aesha’s second home. She wanted to catch Aesha before she left to do something else. The night before, she couldn’t exactly come to terms with what she thought Aesha might need, but she figured that if they talked about it, they could figure things out and find a solution.

But as soon as she arrived at The Vizen, there was yelling and shouting from inside.

She ran up the steps, but a guard stepped directly in her way. She bypassed him, opened a portal, stepped inside, and then opened another that led her into the throne room, where she had heard the arguing from outside.

It was Aesha. She was pointing at Sedeth with resentment in every line of her face.

“Stop trying to protect me then!” she yelled while Sedeth stood in front of the glass pyramid shimmering purple as if something was wrong.

“You know I can’t do that, Aesha,” Sedeth said calmly. “I can’t let you go. Not before-”

“What Sedeth? Before what? Not before you find a queen? Oh, please, like that will ever happen! I will be stuck here forever then, since you barely go outside. I proved myself, Sedeth! I left twice! Twice! And came back fine each time!”

The pyramid shimmered again, brighter this time.

“No!” Sedeth yelled back, “Airya proved herself. Not you! You had no plan! No ideas!”

They hadn’t noticed her. They didn’t stop glaring at each other as Airya ran to the pyramid to see what was wrong.

Her heart stuttered.

Something was coming. Something that could bring Aesha’s Kingdom’s demise.

The pyramid in her hands lit up again, growing warmer with her panic. It was a creature. A giant snake-like worm, right on the outside of the Kingdom’s limits barreling toward it through the sand.

“What is…” Airya tried to ask.

But they shouted at each other over her.

“What is-” Airya tried again louder but was talked over again. “What is this!” Airya yelled.

Two pairs of golden eyes looked at her in shock, finally noticing she was there.

Aesha ran to her first, grabbing the pyramid from her hand. “Oh, no,” she whispered, almost dropping it.

Sedeth ran over next and cursed. He grabbed it from Aesha and was the one to throw it at the throne. It bounced down onto the bright cushion seat. “We don’t have time! We need to get the guards. See what you made happen, Aesha! If you would only!”

“What is it?” Airya asked again.

Aesha threw her arms up and walked in a circle, “A yelluk. At least one comes every couple of years around this time… Ugh! It’s their season!” She turned to Sedeth, “The guards. The lookouts. They tried to come in and warn us, but we told them away! The army will only answer to Sedeth’s call.” She looked at the purple glass again. “We waited too long. There is no time to prepare.”

“We failed,” Sedeth whispered before he yelled to the guards to come to him now.

Another kingdom was going to be lost. Everyone was going to be dead. And by the time the giant worm with claws for teeth got to them, the King and Queen might be the only ones left. Just like her. In a kingdom empty and alone.

Unless she found a way to stop it.

Before she knew what she was doing, she opened a portal and ran inside. In two quick strides, she ran through the grass of Ausrine into another portal, and then across burning sand heading straight for the yelluk gliding across the sand. It was three times as long as her temple. Its head risen and its mouth opened wide, showing its teeth

But Airya ran toward it, prepared to be crushed and die if it meant protecting her friend and Aesha’s kingdom.

But as soon as it saw her, it lowered its head to the ground to take her in. To flatten her and pull her apart with its teeth.

It shot out toward her.

A sharp yellow tooth cut open her hand as she tried to dive while calling to a portal large enough to take her and the monster in.

She fell through it and felt the heat on her skin from the mouth of the yelluk following after her.

Not wanting to bring a monster into her kingdom, she opened another portal. It suck her in so fast that she didn’t know if she had actually made it into it or had gotten eaten by the creature. Maybe both. Her mind was growing weak. Her vision was distorting. Her blood was rushing so fast that she couldn’t make sense of where she was or what was happening.

There was a splash.

She pulled too much water into her mouth, into her lungs.

There was a bigger splash next to her that started dragging her down.

It took her a moment to realize that she needed to open her eyes.

The giant naked worm’s body was sinking right past her, tugging her under and deeper into the world with its current. A world with no land at all. Sand from the outskirts of Nokia stung her eyes, coming off of her and the creature as she sunk further into the deep. She desperately called for a portal below her and let the current pull her through.

She fell out back in Ausrine. Soaked. Choking. Coughing. Dying.

Hethei was there trying to hop onto her lap, but she pushed him away.

She had done it. She had saved them all.

She had to return. She had to go back. What if Aesha thought she had died? What if Aesha was blaming herself for the fight with her brother that had brought on a danger that could have been avoided with their army, their guards, or whatever they had set in place against the creature that almost took them all?

When she took a portal back to them, she was met by Aesha’s desperate embrace before she had even came through her warping hole. Everything was still distorted, not real. A dream. Her wet dress was pressed against Aesha as Aesha hugged her, squeezing more water down her body.

Aesha hugged tighter.

And then the King stepped out from around them. Sedeth with actual tears in his eyes was watching them. She could see he was trying not to embrace them.

“Thank you,” Aesha whispered in her ear. “If we hadn’t been-”

Airya shushed her. “You had every reason to fight.”

Sedeth cleared his throat, “Airya. I request to discuss something with you. To show you my gratitude for saving us all.”

But she couldn’t let go of Aesha. Not when Aesha was shaking. But it wasn’t her who let go of, Aesha let go of her. And with golden eyes filled with guilt, worry, pain, and conflict, she let the King grab Airya’s hand and lead her out of The Vizen into the warm sun.

She had no idea where he was taking her, but she did not care for the feel of his hand holding hers. Although she knew it was Sedeth trying to offer her his thanks, it felt wrong. He let go when he seemed to realize he felt just as odd about it.

“I want to show you something, Airya. I want to honor you. I want to thank you for saving Nokia the way you have. I think I found a way to solve all our problems.”

He led her away from the now-empty streets around The Vizen. Airya enjoyed the silence, looking up to the sky. The warmth was drying her off. Hethei was snuggled up against her neck rubbing his beak into it as if he was relieved that she was alive too. She finally looked back to the ground when Sedeth’s pace had slowed and then stopped. She was hoping that maybe now, after everything, he would honor her by setting Aesha free.

They were standing by a line of mountains. Not near as tall as hers because she could see the tops of these, but they were still majestic. A few people were walking away from the caves leading into them.

"Our city is very healthy and very well taken care of. We even have people who know the medicine trade and work to heal the sick with magic and herbs gathered from faraway places. The only downfall is how far away we are from any other place. We have to travel for days for anything. A two-day ride is the closest to any other village. We need lots of horses and animals to take our gems to far-off cities and to collect and bring things back for our people, including lots of soldiers to protect them," he paused. “But still, as you can see, sometimes, that isn’t enough against all dangers, yet somehow we still make it through.”

A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

Airya nodded, imagining an endless line of people traveling for days throughout the sand.

"Our people are happy to be part of such a big kingdom, especially since hundreds of years ago we stopped letting people move in when we realized that if we had too many people to care for, we would fall. I just wish that my sister felt the same and loved being part of it, too, and embraced her legacy."

Airya was taken back by how he had turned the conversation to his sister. She looked at the slight sadness and irritation in his eyes, "She is happy to be part of your kingdom. She wants to see more of the world and has dreams too."

"I know she wishes to have children, and I wish that that was possible for her. She shouldn't give up hope. I have tried to tell her that if something does happen to me that it will be easier for her to find a maten, and it will be possible for her to have children of her own. But she never cares to listen or hold onto hope. And with that, she shuts out, wanting to learn or give the proper respect to our Kingdom or the Brillia. Even at night, when we lay to pray to the statue of Brillia himself, I hear her snore and have to angrily shove her awake. It’s like she doesn't care for everything provided for us and our people. I love how she cares for our people, don't get me wrong. I have watched her love for them like it’s supposed to be, but Airya," he grabbed her hands and turned to face her under the mountain, "I love your determination for your people and your kingdom. I love your want to learn and grow. Your ability to be resourceful and your capability to protect."

She smiled awkwardly, but only because she couldn’t get the image of Aesha below a statue snoring out of her mind.

He let go of her hands and walked toward the opening of the mountain. Airya followed, letting the words he had just said settle into her mind now that he wasn’t watching her. A soft peace entered her heart knowing that she was recognized and honored by a king for things she had always carried with her. The want for knowledge and the determination to get it.

The atmosphere grew darker around her and cooler when they entered a shadow. Hethei flew off of her, back into the warmth of the heat behind her to explore on his own. Sedeth stood only a small way into a cave. Airya went to him to stand by his side. They both stared at the beauty of the chiseled walls that sparkled yellow and gold all around.

“They glisten because of the sun's grace," he breathed.

Airya continued to stare at their beauty, wondering if the layers ever ended. She could see why Nokia was such a rich kingdom.

"I feel strongly about living up to my line and ensuring I’m always there to protect my kingdom. My parents died here, and I will make sure I don't risk dying anywhere else and will die here with honor, just like them. They never left Nokia or abandoned it, and neither should I," he continued staring at the cavern walls, "The kingdom will only remain as strong as I am. Even with my dad dying on the lines, his strength continued after death to help Nokia stay strong and win. I just wish that I didn't feel this pressure the way I do. I often question if the long line of the Brillia comes down too thin in blood. Am I the weakest there has been?"

Airya's heart hurt for him. She could feel the pressure he felt, but she was sure her feelings were on such a smaller level. She had to hold onto her dead parents’ legacy, but he had to hold onto a line that held a legacy of gods. He had to uphold a kingdom that had never fallen. If she failed to build hers back up, she would be left with what she had now. If he failed to uphold his, he would lose everything.

He grabbed ahold of her hand and lifted it to his face as if asking for her to really see him. He looked at her with kind, watering eyes, "You are strong in feeling this pressure that I know you feel too. Not giving into it, but fighting it, especially alone. It shows true courage and strength." Somehow, he looked deeper into her as he continued, "I can relate to you. No guidance. No parents. Watching our models and the ones we have loved pass in front of our eyes. Scarring us forever, and making us grow up too fast. We… we could fall into each other. My kingdom could grow and benefit from a queen like you with knowledge of other worlds. My kingdom could become your kingdom if you want it to be. You are a true queen in need of a kingdom. That, I can provide you. And you… you have the dedication and devotion that I need by my side to rule."

Airya let go of his hand and stepped back. Her heart was racing, trying to escape out of her throat, "I have a kingdom."

"I know you do, Airya, but you need to know, and a part of you needs to accept, that finding the souls of your people and bringing them back may not happen. It’s nearly impossible. I don't want you to waste away your life by trying to do the impossible and die from it," he whispered.

"Sedeth, you are a king. You have to understand. You should understand. You have a duty to your people. You have a duty to your kingdom. You said it yourself that you can't leave. What if your kingdom fell? What if it was taken from you, and you were left still alive? Would you not do everything in your power to get it back? Would you not die trying, knowing that your duty, your legacy, your life, belonged to your people?"

He looked at her in understanding as the sun set and the glowing gems around them faded to black. She watched his face fall, "Yes. You are right. I understand."

"Sedeth, I can't give up. I have to get my people back. I have to do everything I can and give everything I can to do that, and in doing that, I cannot leave my kingdom and take up another. That would distract me from my duty and my goal. I have to try, Sedeth," she started to cry, "I have to try to awaken my parents’ dreams. I have to try to bring my people back. I have to try to make my kingdom alive again. Otherwise, what is the worth of this power that I was given? What is the purpose of it? I have no choice but to try."

“Even if becoming my maten grants Aesha her freedom?”

She had to bite her tongue to keep herself from sobbing. Was it right for her to choose this and throw away her friend’s chance at being free?

He waited and looked down at her with his golden-sorry eyes, “I understand,” he said gently bringing her into a hug that she hadn’t expected. “I understand,” he repeated again.

After Airya had calmed down, Sedeth left her to go back to The Vizen without saying another word. Airya stayed behind outside the cave. She sat in the cooling sand with no sun to warm it anymore. She was sick to her stomach and sad. She knew she should go back to Ausrine, but she wasn't ready. She wasn't ready to be alone and leave this place that she had found love for. Even with its dark, there was warmth and comfort here.

She stood up, and when she did, Hethei landed on her shoulder. From where she didn't know.

"You missed a lot," she said to him, tearing up.

He looked concerned and then rubbed his beak against her ear and in her hair. She was a mess and a little wobbly inside. She began to walk back, forcing herself to step back to The Vizen. She wanted one last walk through the kingdom before she left. She didn't know if she would ever come back again. It would be too unsettling. She knew she shouldn't be lingering since she had turned down this kingdom, but something drew her here. Something made her want to stay, and she wanted to keep that feeling. She wanted to want to be somewhere.

She returned to The Vizen and looked up at it one last time. It was powerful, and in the dark, a little leery. She turned her back on it and walked away feeling the pull of the overbearing structure at her back as it stood above her, watching her walk toward the exit of the city. She walked between the army's pyramids fighting The Vizen's pull and ignoring it. She looked at each pyramid she walked by, trying to find one that may not be identical, but they all were.

"Airya!"

She turned, her heart clenching, not letting go of hope. It let loose a little and started beating again when she saw Aesha running to her full speed. Aesha stopped before her, panting for only a second before finding her composure. Airya wasn't shocked that she had such good endurance. She wondered if Sedeth had that too.

"I wanted to catch you before you went into your little hole. What are you doing?" She looked around her as if trying to figure out where Airya was heading. “I wanted to thank you. For saving us. For saving our Kingdom.”

"I have to go,” Airya was embarrassed. She had turned down Aesha’s one chance to be free. If she had agreed to be with her brother, to be queen, Aesha could have gone wherever she wanted. She could have lived life to her fullest. But Airya couldn’t do that for her. For some reason, Airya’s empty kingdom mattered to her more than every other want in her heart combined.

"You do love this place, don't you? Even after just a few days,” Aesha was crying now. “I know this seems strange coming from me, but imagine what you would feel like after staying here for weeks and years. You would probably… love this place so much that your heart wouldn't know how to handle it."

Airya shook her head, "Aesha. I can't stay."

“Airya, my brother told me what happened. I’m not upset about that. I’m not upset that you said no, either. I’m upset that you won’t stay. I've been to your kingdom with you. It’s sad. Empty…” she lifted her arm to the pyramids to push her point home, for only a moment, before her arm fell at her side, and she was left staring Airya in the eyes, " You do love this place, don't you?"

"Yes, I do," Airya answered quietly, "But it’s not mine."

"But it can be yours! You can rule with us! Rule with me in our own little way."

"I," Airya tried to sort through her thoughts and feelings. She felt for Aesha nothing like she had felt for anyone before, but she didn't know if she could forgive herself for feeling that. She had put aside her people for too long. She had been too close to giving up on her own kingdom. She had to leave. She was a queen.

Aesha’s brows furrowed in, "I think you’re lying! If you didn’t, you wouldn't look like you will die! Just, please. Please stay here with us," Aesha began to look hopeful. "You don't have to stay here trapped. You wouldn't have to. I wouldn't want you to. You could take me all over. You could take me to many different worlds and explore together and see things together. It would be amazing! I don’t care what my brother says or thinks!"

"I can't, Aesha," Airya pleaded, "Your brother understands. I have a job to do. I can't stay. I can't be with your brother or help rule your kingdom. I can’t just stay here and be with you, either. I have to go back to mine. I have to find my people."

"Your people are dead, Airya! They’re gone! You will not find them! There is no such thing as bringing back the dead. You are running a fool’s errand and wasting your time and life!"

Airya just stood and stared at her. She thought back to the owl she had sworn was sacrificed in the fire but ended up in Ausrine. She had to keep that hope that maybe her people didn't die. That maybe they were somewhere else waiting to be found. She couldn't lose that hope. That was all she had to cling onto to keep her going. Aesha stared back, breathing heavily, eyes piercing into hers, challenging her to the next set of words or phrases to win the argument. Hethei puffed up his feathers, reminding her that sometimes nothing could be said and sometimes you just had to walk away, which is what Airya did. She turned and started walking down the street to the kingdom’s entrance. She passed street after street, pyramid after pyramid, cart after cart, never looking back until she walked outside of it to the edge. She finally looked behind her at the one long trail that led through the entire city, where she didn't see Aesha's golden shimmer anywhere.

She sat on her bed, Hethei already asleep after their very long day. She knew she needed to sleep too, but her sadness threatened to drown her if she laid down. She was disappointed and angry. Angry that she hadn’t gotten the shackle. Angry that her trip had only led her to a lifetime worth of more pain. She had more hated now than she ever had before, and this time, she knew why she was hated, which made the sickening feeling in her gut even worse. She had let down her people, her kingdom, and another kingdom on top of that.

And she had lost a friend.

She was back to square one and would start back at her task in the morning once the day was new. She had to keep working at it to get her people back. Without any people, there was no hope of helping her parents' dreams come alive. Without any people, there was no paradise, only a world holding loneliness for her like its own twisted torture. She was happy that she had done what she knew was the right thing to do by turning Sedeth down, but she just wished that it hadn't hurt so much to do that. She wished thinking about Aesha didn’t cause her so much pain. She wished that she didn't feel like she had lost so much when she had nothing to lose in the first place.

Although it was still a little damp from her adventure with the worm, Airya rubbed the material of her beautiful dress between her fingers, refusing to take it off. She lost herself in the circling of her thoughts until her eyes grew too heavy to see the sparkling material any longer. At least she could be with Aesha in her dreams.