It’s different today. There’s a thin mist on the horizon. Strange—there shouldn’t be… anything in the Dark Realm. I walk toward it. Maybe I should keep my distance. There’s nothing good in the Dark Realm.
A breath of wind—and the fog swallows me. It stings my throat and nose. I cover my face with my sleeve. I knew it. I have to leave. My legs feel unbearably heavy. My throat burns, and there’s no place where the smoke thins.
?Mina.?
A voice echoes all around me.
How long has it been since I last heard it? And yet—I never forgot it.
My soul pounds in my chest. But I won’t run from him. I never have. I won’t now.
I rest a hand on my empty hip. Not that I expected to have a weapon.
The ink moves behind me. Like oily water bubbling when stirred by wind.
I turn. Cough into my shirt.
Before me stands a gray figure—as if clouds had condensed into a human shape, walking toward me.
My throat burns, but I endure.
How long has he looked like this?
Fourteen thousand years ago, Anxietas wasn’t like this.
?It’s good to have you home, Mina.?
My stomach twists.
How did I even get here?
Am I dreaming?
?Do you…?
The smoke scorches my throat. I cough.
?Do you… have these nightmares??
My chest burns. The smoke closes in around me.
I can’t take this anymore. I need to get out.
I take a few steps back. My legs buckle, and I fall onto the ink, flat on my back.
The figure draws closer.
Two black voids open in the smoke.
?When Elena stood at your side, I had never sensed a fear comparable to the one I feel in you now.?
Fear?
I’m not afraid of him.
What little I see sways. It feels like standing at the edge of a precipice. I can’t breathe.
?You want this to stop. But you still have ten thousand years to serve. You’d better get used to it, Mina.?
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The smoke turns black.
My heart hammers in my chest.
And there is nothing else.
I move my arms and legs. Whatever is holding me—I grab it and tear it away.
Cold wood beneath my feet.
I open my eyes.
I’m standing beside my bed. The blankets lie abandoned on the floor. My body shakes with chills, my soul lodged in my throat. My room is cut by the faintest light. I reach for the chest—and my legs give out.
Nightlight spills through the window.
I crawl and pull myself up, gripping the sill. The town below is a motionless shadow. Cold crashes into me. I tremble.
Please. Let dawn come soon.
After a few minutes, an orange point rises from the sea. The waves sparkle with light, the land regains its colors.
I breathe again.
I’m still here.
The trembling eases.
I close my eyes. I hear a whistle, and the voice of my soul echoes into the void.
Elena, please. I can’t take this anymore.
Marì opens the curtains of the tall windows. Dawnlight warms books and parchments along the shelves.
?Thank you, Marì,? I murmur.
She smiles and steps closer.
?Is there anything I can help you with??
I shake my head and move toward the strategy table.
Marì walks beside me.
?I can’t believe Elena would want to punish you.?
The table creaks as I lean against it.
I don’t want to lie—but I can’t tell her about Anxietas.
?Ever since I took her place, I’ve had nightmares. It can’t be anything else.?
I rest one hand on the map of the island’s eastern region and rub my still-burning eyes with the other.
?I’d be grateful to have you as our queen.?
I know.
But I’m only a part of her.
I’m not worthy of taking her place.
Her heels click away, fading with the slam of the door.
Elena will have to work hard to regain her people’s respect.
Let’s see…
The walls along Mount Sensato’s eastern slope and their moats are still intact. Luna, from the Bastion on the western side, reports that only a few soldiers emerge from the Dark Realm and should warn us when the next wave arrives. The sea routes should bring the wounded to Mirasogno without delay.
Yes. I feel calm enough to leave the capital in someone else’s hands.
All that’s left is to grab Elena by the hair and drag her back where she belongs.
I yawn and stare at the black lightning bolt cutting through the northwestern forest on the map.
Gaia was very clear last night:
?Mina, I’m sorry. The only thing I found out is that she’s not on the island. At this point, there’s only one place left to look.?
The image of that expanse of ink and frost opens before my eyes.
I shiver and clench my fists.
What am I supposed to think of you, Elena?
That you leave us in the shit and hide in the enemy’s realm?!
My stomach churns.
I sit down, cross my heavy arms on the table, and rest my cheek on the wool.
I’m tired of chasing after you, Elena.
If this land didn’t desperately need you…
If I didn’t need you…
I would’ve answered your abandonment in kind.
I let my heavy eyelids fall. It’s unlikely I’ll have a nightmare during a ten-minute nap.
How I wish I had the freedom to leave too.
But where would I go?
I’m shaken awake.
I jolt upright. The hall is flooded with light.
Serena stands beside me, smiling.
?Mina, good news!?
I stand and steady my head with a hand.
?Really??
Someone stands before me. I’ve never seen him before. And yet—he reminds me of someone.
Red hair. Dark eyes. Frail.
Strange.
Why would Elena create a character like this in the middle of a centuries-long war?
?This boy is called Elio. He’s Elena’s brother.?
I stare at Serena, eyes wide.
Elio shrugs. Elena used to do the same, back in that world, when I watched her.
His eyes are fixed on mine.
Only now do I notice the bandaged arm protruding from a torn sleeve. Small red stains.
Elena once told me about red blood:
“I’m a human being. You were born from my pen—your blood is ink itself.”
And that pouch hanging from his neck?
Did Elena designate him as her replacement?
If so, I won’t accept orders from the first newcomer—not even Elena’s brother.
?I have questions for you.?