Athènia's POV
I'm actually happy they finally found us, after six months of being missing and without having them by my side. Having them with me again gives me extra strength, especially since we're stuck here on this island for the moment.
Athènia: Garth, was it you who opened the portal?
Garth: Yes, it was me.
Athènia: Wow, with your powers still damaged.
Garth: I just focused as hard as I could.
Athènia: Uhmm.
Jayden: ton…ton.
I stare at him, completely shocked—and Garth is just as shocked as I am.
Garth: Did you just call me uncle?
Jayden: ton…ton.
Garth: He's too cute, oh my little Jayden, you're already so smart for your age.
Athènia: Of course, because he's my son.
Mara: He must be really intelligent.
Asher: He'll be the smartest of all of us.
Athènia: And Atlas, wasn't he with you?
Asher: We don't know where he is.
Athènia: What do you mean?
Mara: He disappeared at the same time as you, but the difference is, you were here while we have no idea where he could be.
Athènia: He must be in his kingdom.
Garth: Atlantica already fell into darkness. It no longer exists.
Athènia: The mermaids may be enslaved, but Atlantica hasn't disappeared. It's protected by the gods, so Im couldn't destroy it.
I bend down and set Jayden on the ground as he starts crawling.
Athènia: So, did you discover anything about Im?
Mara: Only that the Supreme is more than 3,000 years old.
Athènia: Then it's Jinking STORM.
Garth: We're not sure. He was only six years old at the time.
Athènia: Uhm.
{Kora: A six-year-old child who watched his father get killed can only grow up to be a killer himself, determined to destroy whoever caused his father's death.}
Athènia: Finally, here you are. Where were you?
{Kora: Talking with the moon goddess.}
Athènia: But what you're saying doesn't make sense. The one responsible for his father's death has already been dead for centuries.
{Kora: Anything is possible, Lis. He may not kill the one responsible, but killing his descendant is also an option.}
Athènia: I'll just pretend to believe you.
{Kora: That's right, don't believe me.}
Who asked you anyway?
Athènia: I'm a hundred percent sure it's Jinking STORM, but we still need to uncover his exact identity.
Asher: A guy who's more than 3,000 years old…
Athènia: We live in the supernatural world, nothing can surprise us anymore. After all, we weren't even supposed to exist.
Garth: You're right, but how are we supposed to research anything when we're cut off from every city?
Athènia: Dracos's private library still exists, my dear.
I pick Jayden up into my arms and start walking.
Asher: Shouldn't you dress him in something lighter? Something less warm than that?
Athènia: We have other things to worry about.
We walk until we stop in front of a wall.
Garth: And where's this library, when all I see is a wall?
Athènia: Watch and learn.
I hand Jayden over to Mara to hold while I open the passage to the library. The wall slides open like a door.
Athènia: Welcome to Dracos Manor.
We step inside as the wall closes behind us, lights illuminating the way toward the library. Soon we arrive.
Mara: Wow, this library is amazing.
Athènia: This manor was designed by Dracos, so of course everything is amazing.
Asher: Question—why didn't you research Im earlier if you had all these books?
Athènia: Uncle Dracos never allowed me in here. He only gave me the right to come now.
Asher: Figures.
Athènia: So, what are we looking for?
Garth: Some kind of written trace of Im's life, or something like that.
Athènia: Okay. MJ, put him on the table please.
Mara: Okay.
She places Jayden on the large table, and I make his toys appear so he can play. We begin searching the books about Supreme Im. I pull out a random book. Uhm, interesting. I sit down on a chair while the others do the same, flipping through pages.
Mara: This Im is almost invisible in history. Nobody really knows him.
Asher: Same here.
Garth: There has to be something.
He keeps flipping through books. Why can't we find anything about Im? Why!?
{Kora: Pour water on that book. You'll see words appear on the blank page.}
Athènia: That's actually possible.
I take some water and pour it on the blank page.
Asher: Lis, are you out of your mind? I know we can't find anything, but that doesn't mean you should throw water on a book!
Mara: Have you lost it or what!?
Garth: But…
Athènia: Look.
I show them the page where I poured water. Words in red ink now cover it.
Mara: What does it say?
I turn the book back toward me.
Athènia: "Centuries ago, a six-year-old child coldly murdered the Supreme of HASRLAND. He is known as Im, but his real name is Jinking STORM. He was then declared Supreme of HASRLAND. At his side was his mother, Andrea STORM, who was pregnant with his younger brother, Malluk. Years passed, and the Supreme's heart grew colder after his mother died in a confrontation between a sorcerer, a vampire, and a werewolf. Later, his younger brother was killed by renegades."
I close the book.
Mara: You were right all along. The Supreme Im really is Jinking STORM.
Athènia: Yes. He is indeed Supreme Im, and he has a third bloodline—sorcerer.
Garth: But how did you know this book had a hidden message?
Athènia: Kora just told me to do it.
Asher: So what's the plan?
Athènia: The plan stays the same. We'll show up at the coronation ceremony of Harmony's king. We must stop it, because if the ceremony ends before we arrive, it's all over.
Mara: I'm with you.
Asher: I'll be by your side.
Garth: It'll be an honor to fight for freedom.
I look at Jayden playing with his toys and smile. I will fight for you, Jayden. I'll give you a safer future and a place in this world. I promise, my little Jayden. Mommy will handle everything, okay? I close my eyes and sink into the darkness.