Chapter Sixty-Six

300 Years Later;

Three hundred years passed. It had been a long and arduous process, but I recovered to my former strength with the support of Julius and friends. My mind was as it once was, and my body was stronger. My mastery of the Weave had grown, to the point I could hold my ground against Julius in training and duels. My actual Weaving mastery was still not as good as his when it came to direct manipulation like a Sorcerer, which was what it was closer to. But my ability in utilising the Weave for hand-to-hand and weapons combat, was equal to his.

It gave me a far greater appreciation in terms of just how powerful and skilled Julius was. Not only was he a master Weaver, but he was a master combatant and swordsman as well.

Much had changed during the last three centuries. I had explored the world and its cultures. I came to accept what happened at Kurngalfberg, and mourned Yvannia's Displacement with the proper respect and honour I know she would have wanted.

At last, I had learnt to forgive myself.

Because as Julius had said, this time period was my past. I could not change what had already been documented. But my being there, ensured there were survivors to tell the tale.

The world came to learn of the third Weaver, and therefore by extension, a possible additional Empyrean Lord to the ranks of the greatest. It was a title I never acknowledged, nor had it ever been formally recognised either.

It suited me best. Despite the years I had been alive, in no way had my wish changed, which was to stay out of the world of Empyrean Lords. Julius was the one who walked in that world. Not me. He walked ahead, showing me the steps to take through the chaotic and confusing world around me. Whatever danger, both on the battlefield and in society came my way, he diverted around, shielding me from all manner of harm.

Even three hundred years on, I still found it difficult to believe that Julius was in fact my husband. My love for him knew no bounds.

I also found it astounding to come to terms with my age these days. I was over seven hundred and fifty, coming closer to the eight hundred marker than the seven fifty marker. Although Daevas were immortal, I somehow never comprehended living as long as I did, especially when I was much younger, during my days with my original Legion and friends.

Not a day went by where I did not think of Michael, Surion, Amia and Seregon.

"What are you thinking about?" Julius asked while we watched a duel in Impetusium, between a Gladiator and Chanter.

It was the first time I had managed to sit on the side and watch without feeling the flinches of flashbacks from my moments against the Dragon Lords.

Julius kept an arm around me. We were both dressed in normal attire, so none suspected who we were. We just looked like two spectators amongst thousands.

"If it is too much, remember, we can leave," Julius suggested reassuringly.

It had been my idea to watch a duel. But I just could not watch it by myself. Julius had been more than happy to come along when I asked.

I smiled and shook my head, relaxing a bit more into his form. "No, it is alright," I replied softly. "I was thinking of my old friends. The two in the arena right now, remind me of them."

Julius raised an eyebrow. "Really? I would not have thought a Gladiator like him could be acquainted with one so lovely like you."

I laughed slightly. "Well that was what made us all such good friends, because we were all so different. And it was those differences which brought us together, made us the best team. Our diversity was what enabled us to become the strongest, and led by you, we always prevailed in every scenario."

Julius smiled, delighted to see carefree joy upon my face. "What were they like? Chances are, I might need to know for the future."

Julius was more right than he could know, because as the years passed by and I spent my days deep in thought, I knew that my return to my original time would be during the Cataclysm, which therefore meant the following seven hundred years until my birth, Julius would be alone.

I did not know how much I could say, but it was worth a try. Julius was intelligent. Even with fragments of knowledge and information, he would piece the rest together himself.

"The Legion we were a part of originally, was called the White Feather Legion," I said, cautiously. Aion had not stopped me, therefore I continued tentatively. "We were all of the same Legion, but when the original Brigade General was killed, you took over and renamed it as Sudryl's Sword. The six of us who had been friends, built the new Legion into something infinitely stronger. You were our Brigade General. I was a Centurion, but acted as your left hand, your shadow operative, as it were. Your right hands, were Surion, who was a Gladiator, and Michael, who was a Chanter. And with me were two other Centurions, namely being Seregon, a Spirit Master, and Amia, a Cleric."

I paused, curious as to why Aion had not stopped me. He only stopped me when there was something He did not want Julius to know. If I was able to speak about my original Legion, then it must have meant Aion did want Julius to know this.

Nevertheless, I continued carefully. "Surion was a boisterous sort. His laughter could rock a palace, and his presence was so loud that it turned heads wherever he went. The men loved his charisma, and the women loved his looks. He was the kind of tough love which made people swoon." I found tears come to my eyes as I reflected back on them. "Michael had the best sense of humour. Always level headed and cheerful, very little could ever faze him. I goofed off with him more times than I could count. He was the cheeky sort, and incredibly witty." I wiped my eyes, but still smiled, because thinking about them brought steady warmth to my heart. "Seregon was the complete opposite. He was gloomy, grumpy and sarcastic. He had a personality as cold as ice, but on the inside, he had a soft centre. He was the voice of reason, and perhaps the only reason why we were never struck off from our rosters. But still, he was often dragged along with our foolhardy plans, much to his dismay. And lastly, is Amia. She was like a little girl, in every sense. Small in size and young in mind. Demanding and overly emphatic, she was like a younger sister to us all. She was also the one who cared the most. Her heart was pure. She and Michael have a love-hate relationship. Always teasing each other, both too proud to admit their feelings for one another. I think they finally got somewhere, shortly before I came here. But I don't know," I sighed.

Julius squeezed me against his side. "I can see what you mean by diversity," he commented fondly. "It is not so different from my regiment. Even you and Skell became friends over the years."

"It is why our Legion was the strongest, because you applied the same principle. Our differences are sometimes our best features. And as you have said to me before, you only choose and keep the best."

He chuckled, kissing the top of my head. "I do indeed. And you are by far, the best."

I sighed as I sat on the rocks of the cliff, north of Vengar, where the sea opened out, and on the distant horizon, was Levinshore. The sea was heavily patrolled by Israphel's Third Fleet. He had four in total, scattered around other regions of Atreia. The entirety of the Third, was here.

I watched the ships sail in the distance, while I thought back on my old friends. I wondered what they were up to. I wondered if they searched Reshanta for my whereabouts, and wondered how much time had passed since I disappeared. When I eventually returned, I wondered what year I would reappear to. Would it be the same year as I had vanished? Or would it be later?

If it was later, then my time was running thin. Ten years before Atreia disintegrated, but I still did not understand what Aion wanted me to learn exactly, besides knowing the prophecy's full text.

There was still two hundred years to go yet before the Cataclysm. I had time yet to discover what it was that I was missing. But my hopes were running thin. Because for three hundred years I travelled the world, and during my travels, I also searched. I sought Aion's Tree alone. I sought Amaurea's Fortress.

Yet to no avail. As Ereshkigal wanted, the memory of Amaurea remained hidden within the folds of time and sleep.

The wind blew through my long hair, and it sighed as I did. What was I missing? I felt like Ereshkigal had the connecting clue, but the Dragon Lord of Ice was even more illusive than Beritra.

"How do I find out the final clues?" I whispered. "What am I missing?"

There was an enormous connection between my original time, and this time period of Ancient Atreia. But I could not see it. How did it relate to the shattered Tower of Eternity?

The greatest connection of them all, were the titles which Julius and I possessed. It always came down to that.

Aion's Key and Aion's Vessel, I thought. What do those titles actually mean? What is our purpose?

There had been so many strange things of Ancient Atreia which related to my original time. The prophecy was the greatest clue, for it referred to what was broken and divided, which was Atreia in every sense. The Tower was broken, and the people were divided. The Tree was supposed to help heal it. Both Julius of my original time, and the prophecy here, had confirmed that.

The additional thing which I had come to contemplate, was reference to the ten lights. It was a far cry, but I wondered in the deepness of my heart and darkness of my mind, whether the ten lights, actually referred to the Empyrean Lords. Because in post-Cataclysm Atreia, there were only ten. Siel and Israphel died in the Cataclysm. Sudryl had disappeared and pulled back from the world, and Julius had discarded and given up his title.

There were only five Seraphim Lords, and five Shedim Lords.

And so I considered, if the words of the prophecy literally meant what had been written, ten lights gone out, and one true light will appear to take their places.

One Vessel.

This all centred around Julius so heavily, despite how much I wished with all my heart that it did not. Because the more I thought about it, the further away Julius felt in my mind. I could not lose him. Not to the Dragon Lords. Not to the prophecy. Not to anything.

I could not see how I played into all of this, besides finding Aion's Tree. Why was I a Weaver? It still made no sense. I did not want any part in any of this. Neither did Julius. He despised his title and mysterious role even more than I did, and bore it with an unusual, rare and malevolent hatred.

That darkness in him had reared its head silently again, when I had been called to see the Rosetta Stone one hundred and fifty years ago.

Underground in the lower levels of the Library of Sages, I walked with Julius. His form was tall and stark, and his aura twisted, almost with a darkness which reflected his darkening mood.

As soon as Siel had sent the request to bring me to see and be apart of the mystery surrounding the Rosetta Stone, Julius's mood had blackened as quickly as an unsuspecting thunder storm.

I could understand why. The Rosetta Stone's discovery was heavily linked to my actions throughout the centuries, which related more and more to the prophecy as time went on. Whenever anything had something to do with the prophecy, Julius's mood darkened.

"Julius," I said softly, but took his hand firmly, bringing him to a halt and he turned to look at me. His expression was hard, his eyes distant with deep and rolling thought.

"It will be alright," I said. "You said the stone is just a linguistic alphabet. It should not be able to hurt me. I will just take a look at it, that should satisfy Lady Siel's summons, and then we can go."

His expression softened slightly, but the darkness remained as he sighed. "The others do not understand how closely tied we are to these prophecies and Artefacts, Bera," he said quietly. "None of these Artefacts and events have left a good impact on you. You have almost died every time. I do not want you anywhere near these objects, for fear they will harm you." He gave a broken smile. "I guess you could consider it as a form of post traumatic stress disorder on my side."

Understanding his frightfully dark mood, crystallised in my mind.

He was afraid.

Suddenly, it all made sense. He was afraid I was going to be hurt again. He hated these prophecies, because each revelation, each connection, had come at the cost of my own health, my own safety. My life had been forfeit every time a new clue came.

I had never seen him afraid before. Nothing ever fazed him. Except when it came to my well-being. As his wife, I was the one person he cared about the most, and vice versa. I had never realised he felt the same fear that I felt when it came to these prophecies. He feared for me, just as I feared for him.

I reached up, and kissed him gently. "Why did you never tell me?" I breathed.

He laughed weakly, but his smile grew warmer as the darkness from his eyes, retreated a little. "I am fine, Bera. It is normal for a husband to worry about his wife."

I frowned with worry, my expression falling. "And I worry about you as well. I know you well enough to know that you always shoulder your burdens alone."

He exhaled and took my hands. "Do you not see the hypocrisy from such a statement?"

I understood what he meant. It was of my knowing the future disasters to come, of knowing them alone, and bearing those consequences.

"I do not always have a choice there. Aion chooses when I can or cannot say," I said with defeat. "You are not quite as bound. But you have the weight on your shoulders. You are a ruler by divine mandate. Millions of lives depend on you. Your burden is heaviest of us all. Therefore let me help you, as you have done for me. I cannot and will not rule, but at least, when it comes to understanding what our purpose is in this prophecy, we can share the burden equally."

Julius pulled me into his arms and hugged me. "The greatest weight you can take from my shoulders, is ensuring you stay safe. I have seen you nearly die too many times, and the more these prophetic texts and coincidences arise, the closer you go to that line of no return."

"Then . . . let me stand behind you, when I see the Stone," I suggested nervously.

Julius's body relaxed a little. "That was my intention. And if something does not feel right, if you feel unsafe or unwell, you leave. Am I clear?"

With a deep breath to steady myself, I nodded.

We continued walking down the hallway, and turned into a hall. Tall and vastshelves lined the sides, desks were arranged in columns, and lights shone bright from the ceiling.

Four Daevas milled around the desks, discussing between them with two Shugos. The six of them looked to be professors in linguistics and archaeology. Siel stood with them, discussing quietly. Ariel fluttered close by to her, repeating Siel's questions to the professors with a haughty dignity when the answers did not come quick enough.

Azphel stood with Marchutan, and the two men talked quietly between each other, their intelligent eyes watching and analysing the floating octahedron Stone on a raised dais.

They glanced in our direction when we entered. I felt relief to see Azphel and Marchutan, because my misgivings for Ariel, never went away, and Siel was so otherworldly that I could not see her as anything less than the glorious Lady of Time, the purest of them all.

"Ah, Julius, Beralin, you are here," Siel greeted. Her voice was like music.

Julius nodded to her in respect, while I bowed.

"You are looking well, Beralin," Ariel praised with warmth. The last time I had seen her, was after I had been recovered from the ruins of Kurngalfberg. I did not remember seeing Ariel there, but I knew she had been, one of the many flustered at the time, to discover I was a Weaver.

"Thank you, Lady Ariel," I thanked. "I am getting better."

Siel and Ariel flitted back towards the Stone, beckoning Julius and I with them. "Now, it may seem strange to call you here, Beralin, but given how much you have ended up integrating into the world of Empyrean Lords, I thought it wise to introduce you to our mysteries," Siel said. "Especially given the unusual timing of Ereshkigal's attack and your own retaliation at the time."

I pressed my lips into a fine line, neither confirming nor denying anything.

"This Stone was unearthed beneath Kurngalfberg during the time of Levinshor's conquest," Siel continued. "I am sure Julius has briefed you on what we call it and what we think it is."

I nodded. "Yes, I have been informed that so far, theories are this Stone could be considered a linguistic alphabet. But, forgive my impertinence, why have you brought me here? I am no linguistic professor," I said nervously, dipping my head.

"Something unusual happened to the Stone shortly after the events of Kurngalfberg," Siel said thoughtfully with a frown as she looked to the object. "There was an unusual surge of Aether from the Tower, and the Stone began to glow green." She turned to Julius and I apologetically. "Green, as we all know, is the colour of your Weaving ability. Lord Sudryl and Julius, as well as all of us, have had little luck in understanding how this Stone is possibly related to the Tower, the unusual Aether, and your fight against Ereshkigal, especially given it is a linguistic Artefact. Perhaps you could provide us some insight?"

I sighed softly. "I doubt I will be of any help." I meant it, because I was just as baffled by everything in the world and the prophecies as they were. "But I will see. What makes you believe it is just for linguistics?"

Siel motioned me closer, and I stepped forward with Julius. He watched me carefully, as did the others.

As I approached the Stone, I felt it with the Weave. Its Aether was old. Very old.

It was octahedron in shape, a metre and a half tall, and a metre wide. Each face had writing carved into the heavily enchanted material, but each one looked different.

"Two of the faces contain the written script we recognise as Atreian and Balaurean, which are these two" Ariel said instead, pointing to two of the upper faces. "There is nothing special written on them, besides the general rules for both languages. Lord Sudryl was able to absorb the general understanding of this Stone to translate another text, but it was not the form of understanding which can be re-transcribed back to paper to interpret what the other faces mean."

My eyes automatically skimmed the Atreian and Balaurean faces. Indeed, it was as Ariel said. So I could not really understand why there was so much hush hush about the Stone. The other faces therefore were probably of older and forgotten languages from the Ancient Ages. Maybe minor languages too, from races which may have been more in their prime before Humans grew powerful enough to resist the Balaur.

My eyes landed on a third face, and I started reading it.This third face, likewise, was also a similar alphabet. It contained the rules for language, like the Atreian and Balaurean one did.

Something struck me then, like a bolt of lightning.

They only understood two of the faces, because they were the only dominant languages currently in existence. But I was reading a third, with fluid fluency.

Because it was Elysean.

I felt the blood drain from my face as my eyes widened, glued to the floating stone. My eyes flitted to another familiar script on another face.

This one was Asmodian.

Another one was Krall.

Another was Shugo.

These were the rules for language from my originaltime. I had had to learn all of these for my missions and flights through the Abyss. These scripts did not exist yet right now. Because the world had not been broken.

But this Rosetta Stone, held the building blocks for what was to come.

"Beralin?" Marchutan's deep and rumbling voice hauled my attention back to the room. "Are you well?" His eyes were narrowed slightly with concern, but also surprised knowing. As was Azphel's.

"Do you . . . recognise any of these?"

"No," I lied, my voice hoarse as I took a step back.

The Cataclysm. So much knowledge had been lost. So much had been destroyed. Everything had to be rebuilt from scratch, including language.

I had a violent epiphany, of just how much had been lost. Because I was seeing it right now. Everything which was good about the world, had been utterly destroyed. The world I was from, spent centuries trying to recover and rebuild.

No one. Absolutely NO ONE, understood the horror which was coming.

But I did. I suddenly, truly,comprehended it. It was such a horror that I felt like I was going to be sick.

"Bera!" Julius whispered harshly, taking my arm and making me step back.

Siel and Ariel looked shocked and confused by my unexpected reaction. "Beralin. Is there something?"

I dropped down onto one knee, and raised a hand over my heart as I saluted formally. "I do not recognise any of the linguistics. But I am reminded of Kurngalfberg and suddenlyfeel unwell. Please excuse me."

To Siel and Ariel, it was probably believable. Maybe even to Azphel and Marchutan. Julius on the other hand, would have seen right through my blatant lie.

However, I did not wait for permission. I did not even walk to the doors.

I warped out, rematerialising in a remote corridor I rememberedfrom my own time as being small and inconspicuous.

I burst into tears immediately, letting my back slide down the wall I leaned against, to sit on the floor with my head buried in my arms.

I thought I had understood the impact of the Cataclysm on the world and its people. I thought I was prepared for it. I thought I knew what it meant to be the worst disaster in history.

But it was only now, really, that I finally comprehended just what it meant for the world. Only now, could I appreciate, and abruptly grieve for everything which had been lost.

One never knew what it was that they had until it was gone.

I understood it now. I truly did. Because I lived on both sides of the curtain. And it was horrifying beyond anything I could ever imagine.

The Rosetta Stone, was a time capsule. Even as far back as the Ancient Ages, someone there, or Aion, knew the Tower was going to be shattered.

: Create transcripts, and spread them across the world, Aion's voice came to my mind.

I shook my head.

: You must do this. Prepare for the new world. Your world.

"No," I cried. "I should be trying to stop it, not giving in to it."

: Even if you tried to stop it, the Tower will still shatter. Spread the transcripts. Hide them where they will be found, so my people will survive and continue to grow, to thrive into the societies you were born into.

"It is too heavy," I sobbed. The burden, the knowledge, was so heavy. It was too heavy. The comprehension was crippling.

It was like Kurngalfberg all over again. Except on a global scale. I knew it was coming. I should be able to save them.

Yet I could not. I was not strong enough. The powers of Fate and Destiny were far greater than the Empyrean Lords. Even greater than Aion. Time could not be changed.

Why am I cursed with knowing this? How can I bear the weight and guilt of an entire world? I thought with grief.

"What is too heavy? Talk to me, Bera," Julius's voice engulfed me at the same time his arms did, drawing me into his embrace as he found me in the corridor.

"I wish I was stupid," I wailed. "If I was stupid, I would not have to know. I would not have to comprehend!"

But it was more than that. As much as I had wished I was strong, I found myself now wishing for the opposite, because weak people were not given responsibility. Weak people were not relied upon. God did not ask the impossible from those who were weak.

The bitter irony, was I found myself getting what I had wished for centuries ago. I had wished I was strong.

I got my wish. Because with strength, came the impossible. Only the strong, could bear the weight of the world on our shoulders – on my shoulders. Even when it crushed me, I had to still try and stand, to protect what was left, to fix it.

There was no choice.

I had to stand.

One hundred and fifty years on, and I had done what Aion asked, in secret. I wrote the laws of the new world languages, engraved them in enchanted metal, and distributed them across Atreia to the places which were rebuilt after the Cataclysm. I set hidden plans in motion to preserve and resurrect culture and knowledge, concealing them deep within the grounds and cellars of the new cities which would rise. My heart was heavy as I did so.

Julius had been right. I was a hypocrite.

I had asked him to share his burdens with me. But I realised on that day just what burden I myself had carried all this time, and had not shared it. Even if I wanted to, I could not. Aion did not permit it, stealing my words before they could be spoken. Julius knew the Tower would shatter, but he had no idea the impact it had on the world.

No one did – except me.

It was so heavy.

But, as the decades rolled by, it was with a heavy heart that I found myself glad Julius did not know what went through my head. He had enough on his shoulders as it was. I would never add to it. Our burdens were equal, two sides of the same coin, each one as important as the other, but different at the same time, because there were things only he could fulfil, and things only I could fulfil.

I sighed, again. It was all I could do while I watched the twilight evening over the sea The moon was bright this evening, shining whole, like the Tower of Eternity. The moon must have shattered at the same time as the the Tower.

It was nice, to be back in Vengar. I had returned to active service for the most part, but much of my time was spent flitting around the world, almost like the Empyrean Lords, ironically enough.

"Ah, there you are," a woman's voice exclaimed.

I turned, to see Thalia leap down from the sky, folding her great wings back into the Aether. Company was good sometimes, as it forced me to push my silent and lonely brooding away, to the back of my mind.

"General," I greeted with a true smile.

She waved her hand dismissively. "Neither of us are on duty at the moment, so you can drop the title."

I laughed slightly. "Very well then, Thalia. Have you come to join me to watch the last rays of the sunset?" I patted the ground next to me from where I had my legs dangling over the edge of the cliff.

"Yes I have," she said, sitting down next to me with a hearty sigh. "This is a good view. These cliffs were a hotspot for everyone in Vengar, while the conquest for Levinshor was being fought."

I raised an eyebrow. "Really? The landmass is just beyond the horizon. No one would have been able to see it."

"No," Thalia agreed. "But the sky was always lit with flashes of Aether, and the booms of battle would echo out across the sea to us. Even from this distance, you could hear the voices of battle."

"I am almost sorry that I missed it," I commented.

Thalia smirked. "No, I think you were lucky to miss it. It was a busy, and stressful two hundred years. Although," she then said, "maybe it would have been better if you were here. Julius would have been in a far better mood."

"Ah, but then he would not have conquered Cygnea as smoothly as he did," I mused.

Thalia chuckled. "True. I guess even bad situations can have some benefits."

"It's the only way to make them bearable."

"I have to believe you, given you speak from experience."

I gave her a grimaced smile. "Whatever works to help us through the day. But it's a spectacular view here," I said, nodding my head back out to the sea and sky. "I cannot believe I never knew such a wonderful view existed until quite recently."

"The world is large. There are always places to discover," Thalia exhaled in contentment. "It is a wonderful place for children to be born into, even with the war. Because despite the war, Atreia is still beautiful, regardless."

I leaned back on my hands, tilting my head to the sky. "The most beautiful world in the universe, I would say. Though if there was no war, that would be better."

Thalia hummed. "Is that why I still don't have any grandchildren yet?"

My eyebrows shot up and looked to her with an embarrassed smile. "Is this why you came to find me this evening?"

"Partially. Not all of it, but certainly a big one," Thalia smirked.

I brought my eyes back up to the sky, and my expression softened as warmth flooded my chest and abdomen.

"I would love to have a child with him one day," I said quietly. "A creation between him and I. Then, I would be complete."

Thalia's own expression softened and she tilted her head to the side. "So why don't you?"

"It is not the right time," I said. "It may sound strange to you, but it is a feeling. One day, I know in my heart it will happen. But it is not now. Fate says currently is not the time for it yet." I shut my eyes. Indeed I could not have any such child in this time period, because one did not exist.

However, I wished in my heart, more than anything, to create a family with Julius. I could almost see it in my mind's eye, living a normal life filled with joy besides Julius, and a child running around us.

It was such a powerful wish, one which brought tears to my eyes, because despite the power of my wish, the dark fear in my heart of Julius disappearing, remained.

Thalia rested her hand over mine, causing me to open my eyes and she smiled, wiping some stray tears away with her other hand.

"One day, you will," she assured me with motherly strength. "Sudryl and I managed it somehow. Therefore so will Julius and you. I have never seen a more divinely blessed and perfect couple than you and he."

"Thank you," I said, my voice thick with emotion. "It means more than you realise, to hear you say those words."

Thalia grinned. "I wonder what it will look like."

I laughed. "If it were a son, I hope he would look like me. If it were a daughter, I hope she looks like him. Otherwise they will just another miniature clone."

Thalia chuckled. "I had the same wish. If she were a daughter, I hoped she took after Sudryl, lest we just have a miniature copy of me. Instead, we had Julius, my greatest pride and joy. I cannot imagine not having had him."

I smiled. "I cannot imagine a world without him either. It is too painful to bear. Therefore I have to thank you and Sudryl, for bringing Atreia its greatest gift, for bringing Julius into the world."

Thalia smiled, and hugged me. "You are too good a woman, Beralin. I could not have asked for a better daughter-in-law. No one else is good enough for my son, but you."

I hugged her back. "You already told me this on my wedding day."

"I know. But I like saying it again."

We talked into the evening, enjoying the calm and fresh air of the sea. Thalia told me what Julius was like as a little boy. She told me how she met Sudryl and fell in love. And we even discussed possible names for a future daughter or son when it eventually happened for Julius and I.

My heart was so filled with love and warmth. I did not want to go back to the settlement to sleep yet, and so Thalia and I decided to walk back instead, extending the conversation.

"So, for a son, we have agreed on either Athidon, Virion, or Thallan. And for a daughter, Viressa, Elisen, or Tialha," Thalia mused as we stood up.

"Sounds good to me," I laughed and turned back around towards Vengar. "But I will bring them up to Julius when the time eventually comes. Though I am certainly keeping Tialha as a number one for a daughter, to honour you. And she will be called Tia, as her nickname."

Thalia almost giggled in contentment. "You do me a great honour indeed . . ." she trailed off unexpectedly.

At the same time, my senses tingled within the Weave. It was a strange sensation, like the faintest dips, or pull, as a wave of the sea went out before it came back in.

I paused and turned around, noting Thalia's smile disappear, her eyes narrow and stared hard at the horizon of Levinshor.

It was as if the air high in the sky rushed away, before it came back, with a distant howl in the sky. It was a strange sensation, for I could feel it above me. Yet nothing changed at ground and sea level. I looked up, seeing the faintest ripples through both the air and the Weave, like a distant pressure wave, or shock wave. There was static.

The hair on the back of my neck stood on end.

"Thalia," I said, my voice tight.

She squinted on the horizon. "Fire," she whispered in disbelief. "Fire over Levinshor, and lightning."

My eyesight was good, but Thalia's was far superior. Though I could not see what she saw, I felt it. My heart dropped into my stomach, and I felt as if I was suddenly dropped from a height, without wings to catch my fall.

I had only felt like this twice before.

"The fire . . . It's rising," she said abruptly, her eyes widening.

No, I thought in mortification, as I saw the first remnants of the crimson glow rising from the horizon. My skin turned to ice with terror. Dread clutched my chest with terrible resolve. The glow rose higher, spreading across the sky like a visible wave of fire, lightning and destruction.

A terrible entity rode within this apocalyptic wave.

The howl in the air rose like a rising whistle.

My daggers were already in my hands when Thalia's attention snapped to me. She blinked in shock, to see the green mist rise from my form.

"Go. Warn the others," I said, my voice tight. "It's a Dragon Lord."

Thalia's expression hardened immediately with a furious, determined frown. Her eyes were as hard as the hardest steel.

"No, not this time," she said firmly. "I stand with you. I am not letting you face this Dragon Lord alone. Not this time, Beralin."