Chapter 44

The apparition's words interrupted her thoughts. "Do you still believe?"

Sophia's throat clenched, but she simply nodded. "Yes. And not only in science. In magic. It's possible. I believe we can make the impossible a reality.

Her memories faded, leaving her alone with the phantom. The ethereal creature moved closer, her luminous eyes piercing.

"You've faced your worries. You have doubts. Your past. Now you must decide whether to let them go."

Sophia closed her eyes and inhaled deeply. The weight of her concerns was thick, but as she inhaled, she imagined them dissolving into the water surrounding her. She opened her eyes, and the apparition smiled.

"You are ready," she said.

The trial concluded as abruptly as it began. Sophia's eyes shot open, and she was back in the core room. Tharros, Kael, and Arin surrounded her with expressions of relief and worry.

"You're back," Tharros replied, his voice full of emotion.

Sophia nodded, her body quivering but her determination as strong as ever. "I'm ready."

Arin's eyes met hers, and a rare grin softened her severe features. "You passed the trial." "The magic is yours now."

Sophia could sense it-a connection to the water, to the energy coursing through Aquaria. It was as if the city itself was alive inside her, its power coursing through her veins.

Kael moved forward, his hand briefly resting on her shoulder. "We're with you, every step of the way."

The Leviathan's roar resonated again, a chilling reminder of the impending confrontation. Sophia straightened, her dread replaced with purpose.

"Then let's finish this," she said.

Far underneath the city, the Leviathan shook, its gigantic shape coiling as if feeling a change in the currents. Its eyes burned brighter, and its howl echoed across the depths. Sophia's trial had strengthened her, yet the Leviathan's power remained unabated.

As the troop prepared for their final stand, Aquaria fell into an unsettling silence. The prophecy weighed heavily on them all, but Sophia's determination was unwavering. She confronted her anxieties and uncertainties and emerged stronger. Now it was time to face the darkness that threatened to destroy their planet.

This time, she would not fail.

Tharros’ Doubts

The Leviathan's distant roar echoed through the water, a haunting warning of what loomed ahead. Within the coralwalled chamber, Tharros stood at the edge of a balcony, his eyes fixed on the glowing spires of Aquaria. The city's bioluminescent glow pulsed slightly, as if mirroring the unease in his chest.

Sophia's words remained in his mind. "I'm ready." She had spoken with such conviction, her resolve unshakable. But the image of her standing in the middle of that ritual, her body trembling as ancient magic coursed through her, refused to leave his thoughts. The oracle had marked her as the bridge, the key to saving their world. Yet all he could see was the danger she faced.

Tharros' claws flexed against the stone railing, his dragon instincts urging him to shield her, to keep her away from danger. But how could he protect someone so willing to risk everything? Someone he cared for far more than he'd ever admitted aloud.

The soft sound of coming footsteps broke his reverie. Kael's voice, low and steady, reached him. "You're brooding again."

Tharros didn't turn. "And you're still watching me."

Kael leaned against the wall, his spear resting at his side. "You're the king. Watching you comes with the job."

The faint attempt at humor went flat. Tharros' shoulders tensed as he glanced back at his old friend. "Do you ever doubt her?"

Kael's expression relaxed. "Doubt? No. Worry? Every moment."

"She's brave to the point of recklessness," Tharros mumbled. "I can't ignore the risk. If she falls" He trailed off, unable to finish the thought.

Kael stepped closer, his tone unusually gentle. "You can't stop her. You know that. Sophia's not someone who waits for permission. She'll do what needs to be done, no matter the cost."

Tharros turned away, his gaze falling to the faraway currents beyond the city's edge. "And that terrifies me."

Sophia's rooms were quiet when Tharros entered, the faint hum of magical wards the only sound. She sat crosslegged on the floor, surrounded by glowing designs and scattered notes. Her hair was damp, and she wore a simple robe, a rare moment of calm amidst the chaos.

She looked up, her lips twisting into a small smile. "Couldn't sleep either?"

Tharros shook his head, his golden eyes searching the room. "There's too much to think about."

Sophia gestured for him to sit, and he dropped himself onto a nearby cushion. For a moment, they sat in silence, the weight of unsaid thoughts hanging between them.

"You're worried," she said softly, breaking the quiet.

"Of course I'm worried," Tharros replied, his tone sharper than he meant. "You're throwing yourself into a prophecy that might kill you. How could I not be?"

Sophia's smile faded, replaced by a look of quiet understanding. "I don't want to die, Tharros. But if my life is the price for saving this world, it's one I'm willing to pay."

"You shouldn't have to pay it," he said, his voice low. "You've already given so much. It isn't fair."

Sophia reached out, her hand resting lightly on his. "Fairness doesn't matter right now. What matters is doing what's right."

Tharros looked down at her hand, his chest tightening. "You're more important than you realize," he said softly. "Not just to Aquaria. To me."

Her breath hitched, her eyes meeting his. "Tharros"

He pulled back, breaking the connection before the moment could grow. "I can't lose you, Sophia. Not now. Not ever."

The following day, Tharros met with Kael and Arin in the war room. The tension between them was obvious, the weight of the Leviathan's looming threat pressing heavily on them all. Arin's sharp gaze flicked to Tharros as he entered, her face unreadable.

"You look like you didn't sleep," she noted, her tone edged with something between concern and annoyance.

"I didn't," Tharros answered bluntly. "We need to reconsider our approach. The rite isn't ready. Sophia's connection to the magic is still too new."

Kael frowned. "What are you suggesting? That we wait? Because the Leviathan won't."

"I'm suggesting we find another way," Tharros said firmly. "There has to be something we're missing."

Arin's voice was cold. "The prophecy is clear. Sophia is the bridge. Without her, there is no other way."

"And if the prophecy is wrong?" Tharros countered, his voice rising. "What if it's leading us to sacrifice her for nothing?"

Arin's face darkened. "Prophecies don't lie. They're just difficult to understand. But this one has been confirmed by every source we have."

"That doesn't make it infallible," Tharros countered. "I won't gamble her life on a maybe."

Kael stepped between them, his words calm but firm. "Enough. We're on the same side. Let's focus on what we can do to ensure the ritual works. Arguing won't help anyone."

Later, Tharros found himself in the training grounds, watching as Sophia sparred with Kael. Her actions were sharper now, more confident, though still unpolished. Kael's guidance was firm but patient, his speech steady as he corrected her stances.

Tharros' chest tightened as he watched her fall, then recover. She was trying so hard, pushing herself beyond her limits. It was inspiring-and sad.

When the session finished, Sophia approached him, her breaths heavy but her eyes bright. "How did I do?"

"Better," he admitted. "But you're still pushing too hard."

She laughed softly, wiping sweat from her face. "There's no time to take it easy."

Tharros frowned. "Pushing yourself to the point of collapse won't help anyone."

Sophia's smile faded. "Is that what this is about? You don't think I'm ready?"

"It's not that," he said quickly. "I just I don't want you to get hurt."

She put a hand on his arm, her touch grounding. "I'm scared too, Tharros. But fear can't stop us. We have to face it. Together."

His golden eyes met hers, the weight of his feelings threatening to spill over. "Then promise me you'll be careful. Promise me you won't take needless risks."

Sophia's gaze softened. "I promise to do everything I can to survive. But I won't back down from what needs to be done."

As the sun's light faded, casting Aquaria in a deep, calm blue, Tharros stood once more on the balcony. His thoughts churned, a storm of doubt and determination. He knew the fight ahead would test them all-their strength, their unity, their faith in one another.

Sophia had made her choice. Now, he had to make his. The Leviathan's presence was a darkness that threatened to consume everything, but Tharros discovered the truth that had been nagging at him all along.

Sophia wasn't just the bridge between land and sea. She was the bridge between hope and despair, between surrender and fight. And if she could face her fears, then so could he.

As the faraway roar of the Leviathan echoed once more, Tharros straightened, his golden aura flickering to life. The battle was coming, and he would fight with everything he had. For Aquaria. For their future. For her.

Kael’s Legacy

The royal halls were silent, but there was a feeling of tension in the air, like a warning that was not said out loud. Kael's footsteps made soft sounds as he walked through the dark halls, his mind filled with mixed feelings. The Leviathan towered over their world, but he was now facing a truth he had tried to hide for years. A secret that could either save Aquaria or destroy its delicate balance.

He tightened his hands as he approached the door to the council archive. The weight of the news felt heavy on his heart. His background, which even Tharros didn't know about, was crucial for gathering a strong group to support them. But sharing it would reopen old issues and create more problems in an already unstable political situation.

Kael opened the door, and the smell of old paper and saltwater filled the air. The room was lined with shelves of glowing scrolls, the knowledge of generations stored within their enchanted fibers. At the middle of the room, Sophia stood over a table, her brow furrowed as she pored over a map marked with sigils. She looked up as he entered, her face softening.

"You've been avoiding me," she said gently.

Kael paused, then sighed. "Not you. Everyone."

Sophia signaled for him to join her. "Want to talk about it?"

He sat across from her, the glow of the map sending shadows across his sharp features. "There's something you need to know. Something I've kept hidden for a long time."

Sophia tilted her head, her interest piqued. "What is it?"

Kael's voice was quiet, almost a whisper. "My bloodline isn't what everyone believes. I'm not just a fighting prince. I I'm the rightful heir to the southern merkingdoms. The royal blood of both lands flows through me."

Sophia blinked, stunned into silence for a moment. "You're saying you're"

"A king," Kael finished, his voice bitter. "By blood, anyway. But I've never claimed the title. I never wanted it."

The room seemed to hold its breath as Kael's statement sank in. Sophia's mind raced, piecing together the consequences.

"Kael, this changes everything," she said eventually. "The southern merkingdoms have been neutral in this fight. If they knew about your heritage"

Kael's jaw tensed. "If they knew, it would throw their entire political system into chaos. The present rulers would see me as a threat. It could upset everything."

Sophia leaned forward, her eyes searching his. "But it could also unite them. They might follow you, Kael. This could be the turning point we need."

He shook his head, frustration written into his features. "You don't understand. I've spent my life showing myself as a warrior, not a king. I never wanted to lead. I never wanted the crown."

Sophia reached across the table, her hand covering his. "Sometimes, leadership isn't about wanting it. It's about stepping up when no one else can. Right now, Aquaria needs every friend we can get. If your influence can bring them to our side, we have to try."

Kael looked down at her hand, the warmth of her touch grounding him. "And what if it backfires? What if claiming my background divides them instead of uniting them?"

Sophia's speech was steady, her conviction clear. "Then we deal with it together. But doing nothing isn't a choice. You have the strength to lead, Kael. I've seen it. Now it's time for them to see it too."

The next morning, Kael stood before the council, his face stoic but his heart pounding. Tharros and Arin flanked him, their presence both a comfort and a warning of the stakes. Sophia watched from the shadows, her silent support giving him the strength to speak.

"There's something you all need to know," Kael started, his voice steady despite the tension in the room. "I've kept this secret for a long time, but with the Leviathan threatening everything we hold dear, I can't stay silent any longer."

The council members murmured, their interest piqued. Kael took a deep breath, his gaze sweeping over the room.

"I am Kael Stormwind, heir to the southern merkingdoms. The blood of two royal lines flows through me. And I am taking my birthright, not for myself, but for Aquaria."

The room exploded into shocked whispers. Tharros' eyes narrowed, his expression unreadable, while Arin's lips curved into a faint, approving smile.

One elder stood, his voice sharp. "This is treason! You've kept this hidden from us, and now you expect us to trust you?"

Kael met the elder's stare headon. "I expect you to do what's right for Aquaria. The southern merkingdoms have the resources and troops we need to stand against the Leviathan. If my history can unite them, I will use it. But I'm not asking for your trust. I'll earn it."

After the council gathering, Kael found Sophia in the palace gardens, her presence a welcome reprieve from the storm of politics. She sat by a glowing coral fountain, the light making soft shadows on her face.

"How did it go?" she asked as he neared.

Kael sighed, sitting beside her. "Better than I expected. Worse than I hoped. They're skeptical, but they'll back the plan. For now."

Sophia smiled weakly. "That's a start. You did the right thing, Kael."

He looked at her, his expression thoughtful. "You always seem so sure of yourself. How do you do it?"

She laughed softly. "I'm not sure of myself. I just fake it until I figure it out."

Kael laughed, the tension in his shoulders easing. "You're a good liar, then."

Sophia's gaze softened. "I believe in you, Kael. And I'm not the only one. You have what it takes to lead, even if you don't see it yet."

He looked away, the weight of her words resting over him. "I hope you're right. For all our sakes."

As night fell, Kael stood on the balcony viewing Aquaria. The bright city below seemed almost peaceful, belying the chaos that brewed beneath the surface. He clenched the edge of the railing, the enormity of his choice pressing down on him.

Sophia's words echoed in his mind. Leadership wasn't about wanting it; it was about stepping up. He had made his choice. Now he had to live with it.

The sound of distant drums reached his ears, signaling the coming of a southern delegation. Kael straightened, his face hardening. His secret was out, and there was no going back.

Far beneath the city, the Leviathan stirred, its massive form coiling with expectation. The battle for Aquaria was just starting.

Arin’s Sacrifice

The sound of the southern delegation's drums was still barely heard in Aquaria when the first crack showed up in the city's walls. A strong shake shook the towers, making the streets feel uneasy. The bioluminescent light faded briefly, as if the city had taken a tired breath.

Arin started moving before the alarms went off. She stood in the middle of the council room, her dark eyes looking over the map that flashed with urgent red lights.

"It's the Leviathan," she said sharply. "It's pushing the limits again."

Tharros frowned, his golden aura flickering as he leaned over the map. "The barriers are holding for now, but if it keeps probing, they won't last."