*Zelda's POV*
I was thrilled to have my own body back.
Of course I felt awful for Dresira and I meant what I said about avenging her. The Aleni would not prevail over Uquix!
Surax led me to the prisons. “Can I ask you something?”
“Sure Empress Zelda.” He grunted.
“Can I have your nose ring?”
He stopped in his tracks. “You’re not participating in the Four Trials of the Forsaken Apex, are you?”
“Yes I am.” He tossed me over his shoulder and I cried out. “Hey what are you doing?”
“Locking you up with your friends! You are here to steal from us!” Surax bellowed.
“No, no! I don’t want to steal! If you could just give it to me willingly that would be amazing!”
“No. You seek the most dangerous power, we cannot help you Empress Zelda!”
We entered the prisons.
It didn’t take long for Cedric and the Aleni to find something shiny.Oz offered up a gold necklace. It looked familiar, but I couldn’t put my finger on why.“No!” Hunter exclaimed. “That’s a family heirloom, you can’t give that to them! We’re supposed to give these to our sons.”Right. Hunter had an identical one. I had seen it hanging on his neck all the times we were in bed.“I have a new family now.” Oz sneered. “A family that doesn’t demean me every chance they get and see the value in me.”“Exactly.” Cedric patted his shoulder. “We’re your family now, Oz. And you’d do anything for your family right?”“Of course, Chief.” Oz gave Surax the necklace.Surax took it as another Minotaur removed its nose ring.“Thank you very much.” Cedric grinned. “Now we may go
This was about to get confusing.The me that was on top of...me gasped too. Her eyes widened and she scrambled up. I did the same. We circled each other, taking one another in.I took a step closer and so did she. I reached out my right hand and her left hand moved to meet it. When our hands touched we gasped and jumped back.“Who are you?” We chorused. “Empress Zelda. No you can’t be.”“Can we talk one at a time by chance?” I asked.“Sure.” She answered.“How are we the same?” I questioned.“I’m not sure.” She admitted. “I’ve never seen anything like this.”I studied her closely. It literally was like looking in a mirror. I could not find a single thing that was different about her. Her hair was loose and curly like mine. We were even wearing the same dress.“So what are you doing here?&rdq
“Here?” I asked. “What is here?”“The Mirrored Realm. We are merely shadows of the people you are. But if we get out of here we can be real. We can be more than just counterparts and clones. We can have real lives.”“El! No...you can't! We can’t stay here!”“Neither can we!” She exclaimed.. “It’s hell here! Getting only pieces and snippets of what goes on in your lives is tortuous! We want to live for real. Is that so much to ask?”“If what you’re saying is true then yes! We’re not meant to be here, El. This isn’t our realm.”“I don’t care. We’ve waited so long to escape and now we finally can. Sorry Zelda, but I’m finally getting out of this place.”“Wait!” Zeke cried. “We have a journey to complete.”“And we’ll complete it for you.” Alder said confid
“He sure did a number on you.” Posy whispered, examining my arm.“Zel, why didn’t you just tell them?” Zeke asked softly. “You didn’t have to be tortured.”“I couldn’t let them win.” I muttered. “I’m-we’re the only ones who can save Uquix. They never could. They weren’t really us. And Uquix comes before anything else.”“I’m sorry I didn’t save you earlier.” Penn hung his head. “I was trying-”“It’s okay. Everything worked out. We faced ourselves and we’re not stuck here.” I stated.“Are you in pain?” Hunter asked, holding my other hand and kissing it.“I’m fine.”Cedric approached us. “Can I clean the blood off your arm?”“Um...I guess.” I answered slowly.“I kind of owe you.”
Hunter frowned. “What do you mean thank you?”“I mean it’s so sweet of you to feel that way about me a-and I’m appreciative of your feelings for me.” I explained.“But you don’t have those same feelings?”“Well...Hunter you have to understand-”Tears filled his eyes. “Zelda I thought you cared about me.”“I do, I do babe!” I insisted. “I care about you very deeply. But love...is a strong word.”“You’ve used that word with Cedric and Penn.”“Um, yeah. Look Hunter, we really just started this thing.”“Thing?” Hunter cried. “Is that how you see our relationship? Just a thing? Is this just sex for you?”“Of course not! I’m giving this a chance, I just don’t love you right now.”“I think I’d like to sleep alone tonight
Wyatt made me sad.I couldn’t imagine not being loved.Wyatt actually confused me completely. He was very soft spoken and pretty nice and yet he was an Aleni. A creature that feasted on others and was determined to take over the world.I was starting to wonder if what Cedric had said those years ago was true.“What if they’re like me? Just misunderstood.”I think they might be.“Wyatt, what was your life like before becoming an Aleni?” I asked.“Um, pretty sad. Like I said I had issues with my mother. I don’t think she liked me very much. I’m guessing her having to raise me on her own had something to do with that.”“What about your dad?” Hunter questioned.“Oh I never knew him.” Wyatt informed him.“So why did you become an Aleni?” Zeke asked.“Cedric was nice to m
It all came down to this moment. Cedric and I each had all of the items and now we were climbing The Shadow Precipice. We were neck and neck. “You can do this Zelda!” Zeke shouted. “Go Zelda!” Posy cheered. I couldn’t help but smile. I was so glad they were cheering me on. My stomach dropped as my foot slipped and I slid down the side of the volcano. “No!” I screamed as Cedric reached the top. He looked back at me and grinned before tossing the items into the volcano. I couldn’t see what was happening and what his reward was. I looked back at my team. They all looked devastated. “I’m sorry.” I whispered. “Zelda, no.” Penn breathed. Cedric reached the bottom again with ease. I hated the grin on his face. He helped me to my feet before getting down on one knee. “Zelda, will you marry me?” He asked. “You can’t say yes!” Hunter exclaimed.
Being Queen of the Aleni was not what I thought it would be. I thought I would hate every second of it, but I was starting to enjoy it. I even enjoyed being with Cedric.Luckily I didn’t have to participate in any of the massacres or raids. I didn’t even care about them. Being Aleni truly does warp the mind. I didn’t care about any of the things I used to except being a good leader. That mostly meant supporting Cedric.“So, how do you like your life as Queen of the Aleni?” Oz questioned.“It’s amazing.” I smiled. “You were right. I understand now.”“Have you heard from Zeke?”I nodded. “I used the crystal and mirror to talk to him. I think he misses you, he just won’t say it.”“Do you think he’d turn?”“No. He won’t. I’m sorry.”“It’s fine.” Oz sighed. “I should
My body felt a shock at once. Electricity flowed quickly and then expelled itself out of my body. Was I going to die again? I wondered as I fell to my knees. I breathed heavily as the last of the lightning left. I paused to make sure I wasn’t going to die again. “Zelda!” I looked up and saw Penn running over to me. “Penn!” He scooped me up in his arms and held me tightly. “I thought I lost you!” “How relieved were you?” I joked. He set me down and kissed me. “Very relieved. But now you’re back and I’m miserable again.” I kissed him again. “Are you lying to an Empress? That’s a crime.” “And what would be my punishment?” Penn smiled down at me. “You have to marry me…for real this time.” “You sure I can’t just take death?” I laughed as Zeke ran over to us and embraced me. “Tell me that’s the last time you almost die!” “No promises. I think it’s over now, though.” I smiled.&nb
Posy’s POV I hated her. Why did she do this? Why would she kill herself just to save the rest of us? Why wasn’t she selfish and logical? Why wouldn’t she just let us die for her with honor? Because Empress Zelda Xanatheal was a great leader. No one even cared about Cedric the moment Zelda hit the ground. The Aleni had been struck down and we had no one left to fight. We only wanted to see Zelda. I got to her first. I cried out upon feeling how limp she was in my arms. “Zelda?” I screamed. “Wake up Zelda, now!” She wouldn’t budge. The boys had transformed and put on their pants. Penn dropped to his knees. “Zelda?” He choked out. “Zelda, please wake up. I need you Zelda, please.” He was sobbing as he hugged her lifeless body. Hunter tried to comfort him, but he just pulled away and wailed. “I can’t live without her!” Penn cried out. “I can’t! How do we bring her back? Someone
I stepped towards Cedric in horror. “You killed your father?” I asked shakily. “We both know he deserved it.” “What are you doing here?” “Oh, was I not invited? I’m sorry, I figured maybe my invitation got lost in the crystal mirror.” He feigned innocence. “Cedric, why are you here?” I cried. “You look so pretty in your wedding dress…and I’d make the perfect groom. Everyone’s already here Zel, let’s just do it.” “No, no! We had a deal, Cedric, you swore. Don’t do this!” “Ah the deal…yeah I thought about that, constantly over the last month. I don’t like it. I didn’t go through all of that shit to end up without you. So…the deal is off.” Cedric was many things, but he wasn’t usually a liar. The only thing he had ever really lied to me about was killing Astris and it only took him a few moments to reveal that lie. He didn’t believe in lying, he thought it was a waste of time. He was fine with being rut
“Holy fuck!” I exclaimed. “You’re serious?!” “Very serious,” Penn said nervously digging into his pocket. He pulled out a stunning ring with a gorgeous blue gem on it. “Is that the -” “Gem of Xaxtar from Prince Mako, yeah. I know it was supposed to be a necklace, but I think it would look better on your finger. Posy helped me make it.” He smiled. “So? Can I be your Emperor for life?” “Yes! Of course! Absolutely!” I screamed. Penn got up and kissed me. I wrapped my arms around him tightly, absolutely elated. This was everything I ever wanted. I saved Uquix and I was going to marry the love of my life! He slipped the ring on my finger and I admired it. “It’s huge!” I exclaimed. “Isn’t it?” Posy asked. “I knew you’d love it!” “I can’t believe you didn’t tell me! I mean look at me I have soot all over my face and clothes!” I laughed. “You look beautiful,” Penn assured me before kissing me aga
The lava immediately stopped flowing as golden light shot out the Shadow Precipice. A stunning woman walked out of the light even though there was no ground to stand on. She was stunning! Her long golden hair flowed behind her as the gold light danced off of her dazzling brown skin. Her white eyes were terrifying and yet so warm. She stood between Cedric and I as though trying to decide who the winner was. She turned to Cedric and my heart dropped. I really had lost. But I gave my best effort and everything that I had. I did my best, even if it wasn’t good enough. “You gave a great effort,” She said to Cedric. Suddenly it was just the woman and me. Cedric had disappeared. “Empress Zelda…you are the winner of The Four Trials of the Forsaken Apex.” Wait, I recognized that voice. “Moxdea?” I asked. “Yes, Empress, it is I. In my true form. You have released me from my duty by completing t
We started climbing up the volcano slowly. We figured we should take it slow before things got out of control. The constant rumbling made me incredibly anxious. The volcano could erupt at any point. “Nervous?” Cedric questioned after a few moments of silence. “What makes you think that?” “You’re not usually quiet unless you feel unsure.” “Well...yes I am a little nervous but only because everything we’ve done these last few weeks has led up to this moment. Are you nervous?” I asked. “Yeah a little bit,” He admitted. “About what?” “Losing. Imagine I betrayed my kingdom and killed hundreds of creatures just to lose.” “Wow that would be really embarrassing for you,” I snorted. “Oh shut up.” “What else happened in your weird dream when we went in the quicksand?” I questioned. “It was so strange, but I was really happy. You were my wife. We wanted babies. I thought you we
Cedric was having a hard time leaving the Hartmeda Woodlands.He had been searching for something his whole life and he had found it and now he had to leave it again so soon. Hopefully he could come back and spend more time with Nova and really get to know her.“It was an honor and a privilege to meet you, Empress Zelda. Please come back any time and visit us.” Nova stated.“She will,” Cedric assured her. “She’ll be back as my wife. Who knows, maybe we’ll make a baby here.”“Everytime I stop being disgusted with you, you give me a reason to be again. Congratulations, it’s really a talent.” I declared.“You’re so in love with me,” He grinned.“Anyways, Nova, you are welcome to Gynem any time, really.” I hugged her.“I know my son is a nuisance sometimes, but I would love to have you as a daughter-in-law.&r
There were shouts of panic ringing in the air.As Penn and I were surrounded, I tried to see where the third dagger went. I quickly found out when Hunter started wailing. It was sticking out of his arm, so at least he wasn’t in immediate danger.“Save Zelda,” Penn said hoarsely. “Please, her not me.”“No save Penn first,” I breathed.“Zelda, you’re the priority!” Posy cried.“Royal Vizier Posy, as Empress of Gynem I order you to save Penn first!”Talking with a dagger in my stomach was not easy or pleasant, but I had to get my point across. Penn needed to come first.“What happened?” Zeke ran over to us. “Zelda, no!” He dropped on his knees next to me. “You’re going to be okay. Oh Veone, that’s a lot of blood!”“It’s okay, I’ll be fine.”I didn’t completel
I ran into Nerius’ big open wings.They enveloped me in a tight hug.“What are you doing here?” I asked.“Yurhy srei meings.”“Vacation huh? Are you sure you’re not here because you knew we’d be here?”He paused. “Nresh.”“Liar.” I shook my head.“What is he doing here?” Cedric questioned.“None of your business. Don’t be a jerk.” I stated.“Yeah, you wouldn’t want him to toss you again.” Penn snorted.“Shut it pretty boy!” Cedric stomped over to his mother.“Nerius, you remember Penn.” I smiled.“Shrup boit nurevsh marship?”“Nerius!”“What did he say?”“He asked me if you still cry after intercourse.” I chuckled.“Gue