“Of course.” I nod. “Lambs for the slaughter. Disposable lives.” I reach for both of his shoulders, focusing him. “Get as many of your people off this island as you can. Fill your ships and take them to Illarium. Have your witches cast protection spells to keep the ships safe while we do our best to keep their attention on Zentria.”
“You want us to run?” His voice rises with anger.
“My father wants us to kill them. This isn’t the genocide he’s been planning. This is a suicide mission only meant to take out as many of our allies as possible. He’s not looking for a surrender. He’s looking for a death toll. It doesn’t matter who is on it as long as there are more of you than them.”
“So, what’s your plan? You can’t kill them all on your own.”
“I don’t plan to. Now, go.”
He’s hesitant but follows my orders.
“What do you need from me?”
The Reign from the Sector is all but a memory as she stands before me. The once fragile girl has been replaced by a warrior. Fearless and determined. Ruled by her desire to help others and fight against the evil that has spread like disease. She’s a weapon in her own right, not only rising as a phoenix but as a queen. Meant to save her people from the terrors that threaten their peace.
“I need you in the sky. Get the others up there to help you keep the attention away from the ships.” Her face is tense in a way I’ve never seen before. She’s not frightened, but focused. “They don’t know what you are. They won’t be expecting it so use it against them.” She nods. “It won’t be easy but do your best to get the others to disarm my father’s soldiers, not kill them. They aren’t our enemy.”
I can tell by the look on her face it’s the last thing she expected me to say. Taking pity on those who chose to serve my father was never my resolve, but I’ve changed, and the things I once believed have changed, too.
Because of her.
Because she forces me to look at the grey that lies between black and white, reminding me that what is easier is not always what is right.
Just as she’s about to take off, I pull her into me. “I know you’re worried about the others. I am too, but we have to stop the bleeding first.”
“I know,” she says with understanding behind her eyes.
“Please be safe.”
“I was trained well,” she reassures before quickly kissing me.
It’s simple and short. The kind of kiss one would give when getting out of bed in the morning. One that would be takenfor granted in the routine of it all. For a moment my heart sinks at the thought of that being our last. It wasn’t long enough or deep enough to remain imprinted on me forever. And then I realize that was her whole point. It was her way of telling me it wouldn’t be our last kiss.
With that realization, a spark of adrenaline ignites, and I watch as she shifts into her full phoenix, taking off into the sky that has become its own battleground. Just as she was meant to live free from restraints, I was meant to lead others to salvation. The instincts I have spent my whole life honing, take over and I remove the hold on my power.
My onyx ribbons unravel themselves over the remnants of Zentria’s heart, sweeping away injured and pulling apart clashing bodies. No one dares to challenge me as I make my way deeper into the hollowed city.
There’s a pause in the mayhem when my presence is noticed by all. While those from the Infinite Sea Territories look to me for guidance, those from the Sector look at me with terror. Me being here was not something they were prepared for, and it shows in the panic they now wear.
Too frightened to move, the army of Sector students stand still as if they are lying in wait for their impending deaths.
“Surrender!”
My voice echoes down the valley of rubble as the ground quakes with my power. Almost immediately, weapons are released, and heads are bowed. A result only due to the fact that these soldiers are young and inexperienced. If it had been my father’s military army that was sent, we would not be so lucky.
The submission ripples through Zentria and eventually those in the sky yield, returning to the ground with a knee. The red dragon that appears to be significantly larger thanthe others lets out an ear-shattering roar that has all of the shapeshifters still in their beast form, shifting back.
If the size difference wasn’t enough to indicate to me it’s Damien, the commanding roar certainly was. He shifts back from his dragon form, but the dominating strength he exudes remains as he walks over to where I’m standing.
“Glad you showed up,” he says in a deep tone he only uses when acting as a soldier.
A second later, Reign steps between the two of us still radiating hot flames. Only then, does everyone’s eyes flicker away from me. Everyone, including those from the Infinite Sea Territories, stare at her in disbelief. As if wanting them to see her fully, she flares her fiery wings behind her, sending a wave of gasps across the field of ruins.
Those from Zentria who clearly belong to the military units begin to cautiously close in around us, waiting for orders. Though their attention has refocused on me, I can tell they respect the authority Reign holds just by standing next to me.
“Bring them to the black sand beach, but don’t harm them.” There’s a unified nod of silent obedience before they disperse.
“What now?” Reign asks, shedding her phoenix form effortlessly.
