Herface twisted in confusion.Butrealization dawned on her as she followed one of the lines off the map into theSeaofSpirits. “Theisland?”
“Yes, the spring there was a place where the mana of the earth flowed to the surface.Now, no more.”
“WorldBreaker, indeed.”AbraxasgaveToria long, affectionate glance before turning back to me. “Butthis is just a theory you have.Noone has ever tested such a thing.”
Idrew one more line on the map.Itconnected that lone island withXyrandTenebraeForest.
“Theisland was also connected here toXyr.Tori, have you felt any difference in the mana below the city?”
Abraxasand her locked gazes.Iwatched them have an entire conversation with no words whenToriturned back to me. “Yes.Duringthe battle… there was less power to draw on.Muchless than whenIhad tried before our journey.”
Jungave a soft laugh. “Ithink that is as much proof as we can hope to get.”
“Whatother effects will this have?Onthe earth?”Abraxastraced the lines on the map with his long fingers.
“Well, the prophecy speaks of theBreakingof theWorld.Thatdoesn’t sound reassuring.”
“MorkaTempeli.Fora new world to be born, the old must die.Thatis the way things have always been.”Abraxas’ face was blank.
“Andyour revenge onHadeonis worth this, the end of all things?”
“Ihighly doubt the end of the world is fire and brimstone, as so many fear.Itis not my intention to harm the innocent.Doyou think humans care which ancient beings rules over them?No, they care where their next meal will come from and if their loved ones can live happy lives.Ourstruggles are more myth to them than reality.”
“Untilthey are squashed under our armies when they get in the way.”Jun’svoice was harsh, but he spoke the truth.
“Wewill avoid casualties where we can, but it would be naïve to think none would suffer,”Torireasoned. “Butwould you avoid this suffering to preserve the world we live in now?”Jundidn’t answer.
“Atthe island, no one was hurt by the destruction there, well, almost no one.”Asmile flicked at the corner of her mouth, and a small part of my heart twinged. “So, our best options would be nodes away from populated areas.”
Inodded. “Yes, and it would be best to break nodes along the same ley line, one on either side of the city.Ourbest option would be to target the node rumored to lie outside the city ofMananin theRiverKingdom.Ibelieve you have an alliance with the queens there?”
Abraxasnodded.Hisface grew tight as he traced the line on the map in the opposite direction.Hiseyes widened in realization, and his face grew hard.
“No.”Itwas a king’s rejection with no room for argument.
“Itis the best option.Itlies within your ownKingdomand will have the greatest impact on—”
“Isaid no.”Theair in the room grew boiling hot, andAbraxas’ eyes turned that horrible gold.Hispupils turned to slits.
“Abraxas, calm down.”Torigrabbed his shoulder, but he flinched away, breathing heavily.Heheld her gaze, and she did not back down.Themoment stretchedon before he pushed past her and out of the room without saying another word.
“Whereis this node?” she asked.Ipointed to the location on the map, at the edge of theColdMountains, southwest ofXyr.Shefrowned. “What’sthere?”
“Theplace where the dragons made their last stand.”
Chapter 48
Abraxas
Iretreated to the balcony that overlooked my city.Isat on the stone railing, my legs dangling over the side.Ineeded to calm down and looking down at everything always helped.Mypeople went about their lives, reminding me there was peace and calm in this world.
Thecity was still a wreck after the last battle, butIcould already see rebuilding efforts.Neighborsand friends came together, stacking bricks and building scaffolds to repair what had been torn down.Everywhere, soldiers in dark attire milled about.Someoffered leadership, but others just assisted where needed.Itcalmed my heart.
Iheard her footsteps before she hopped up on the railing beside me, her hand finding mine.
“Tellme about that place.”Hervoice was soft as she met my gaze.
“Thatplace…SacrignisTorr.Itwas the dragon’s last stronghold in theWarofFlames.Aplace for families where eggs were laid.KingObionbrought his forces there and murdered them all.Myaunts, my cousins, my entire people.Gone.”
