Chapter 209
Khale leads us through his family's vault, a hidden chamber filled with ancient Enkian mystical artifacts. The walls shimmer with the glow of enchanted relics, each one humming with dormant power.
The weight of history presses against my chest as I trail my fingers over a gilded chestplate, feeling the faint pulse of energy beneath its surface. The air is thick with the scent of aged magic, the kind that lingers in places untouched for centuries, waiting for the right hands to wield it again.
"These have been in my family for generations," Khale says, his voice reverent. "Most haven't been used in centuries, but they still hold their magic. Take what you think will help you."
Wake moves first, his sharp eyes scanning the weapon racks with practiced ease. He stops before a pair of daggers sheathed in obsidian scabbards. When he lifts one, its blade glints in the dim light. Testing its weight, he flicks it through the water, the blade cutting effortlessly before reversing mid-motion and flying back into his waiting hand. A slow smirk spreads across his face.
"Boomerang daggers?" I ask, watching him spin one between his fingers.
"Looks like it," he replies, grabbing the second with his other hand. "Perfect."
Not satisfied with just the daggers, Wake’s gaze lingers on a pair of ornamental cuffs inlaid with intricate silver runes. He slides them onto his wrists, rolling his shoulders as if testing for changes. Khale explains that they enhance speed and agility, and Wake doesn’t hesitate to test the claim. In a blink, he disappears from my side and reappears a few feet away, barely disturbing the water. He nods in satisfaction.
Cora steps forward next, her fingers drifting lightly across the artifacts as if she can sense their power. She pauses at a pair of topaz earrings, lifting them to the light. "What do these do?"
Khale studies them for a moment. "They let you sense deception. You’ll know when someone is lying or keeping something from you."
Cora hums, intrigued. "Now that’s useful." She secures the earrings in place before moving down the aisle of relics. After a moment, she picks up a long, coiled lasso shimmering with a strange, ethereal glow. "And this?"
"That," Khale says with a knowing smirk, "compels whatever it captures to follow its owner's orders."
Cora grins. "I think I'll be keeping this."
I take my time, feeling drawn toward something but unsure of what. My fingers drift over enchanted amulets and ancient weapons, each brimming with power, but none of them call to me. Then, my eyes land on something familiar—the conch shell that Kota used to manipulate Wake and me.
I hesitate before picking it up. The smooth, spiraled surface is cool beneath my fingers, but I can feel the dormant magic within. It’s a dangerous artifact, but I know it could be useful in the right hands—my hands.
"This could come in handy," I say, though my voice feels distant. The conch feels heavier than it should, filled with echoes of the past.
Beside it sits a small, unassuming crystal sphere, barely larger than a pearl. Unlike the other artifacts, it doesn’t shimmer with latent energy, doesn’t hum with power. But something about it tugs at me. I reach out, wrapping my fingers around the smooth, cool surface. The moment I touch it, a strange warmth spreads through my palm, like something awakening.
"What does this do?" I ask, my voice quieter.
Khale shakes his head. "I don’t know. I’ve never been able to activate it."
Still, I don’t let it go. Even without knowing why, I feel like I’m supposed to have it.
With our new artifacts in hand, we step back from the vault’s treasure trove, the reality of our parting sinking in. I swallow the lump forming in my throat and turn to Khale.
"I can’t believe it’s time to say goodbye."
A heavy silence falls over us. Khale and Cora exchange a glance, their expressions clouded with unspoken words. It isn’t just a farewell—it’s the end of one chapter and the uncertain beginning of another. The air between us grows heavy, charged with emotions we don’t quite know how to express.
Khale exhales slowly, his golden eyes softer than I’ve ever seen them. "You’ll always have a home here, Phoebe. All of you. No matter what happens."
Cora nods, her voice quieter than usual. "We’ll see each other again."
Wake, sensing the tension, rests a hand on my shoulder, his touch grounding. "Goodbye can wait an hour or two."
Khale offers a small, grateful smile. "Then let’s not waste it."
He leads us out of the vault, the doors closing behind us with a finality that makes my chest ache. As we walk, the corridors feel longer than before, every step a reminder that once we leave, nothing will ever be the same again.
Khale gestures for us to follow him to one of the more private chambers in the palace. He speaks to a few passing attendants, ensuring that food and drink are brought, and the space is ours alone for the next few hours. The mood is bittersweet, but we take solace in each other's company, making the most of these last moments together.
The conversation drifts between past memories and uncertain futures. Cora leans against Khale, teasing him about how he’ll have to get used to the pressures of ruling. Wake, ever the warrior, discusses training strategies for the new generation of Ao’s protectors. I watch them, committing these moments to memory. I don’t want to forget how this feels—this fleeting sense of family, of belonging.
As the hours pass, reality creeps in once more. Wake and I will leave soon, and the ocean will stretch between us and this place that has become a second home. I meet Khale’s gaze and see the same sadness reflected back at me. But beneath it, there is hope. Hope for what’s to come, for the battles we will face, for the reunions that will follow.
Eventually, the time comes. Khale pulls Cora into a deep embrace, whispering something only she can hear. I see her nod, a small smile on her lips. Then he turns to me. "Phoebe."
I don’t hesitate. I step forward and hug him tightly. "Be a good king, Khale."
"I will," he promises, voice rough with emotion. "You be careful."
I pull away, forcing a smile. "Always."
Wake clasps arms with Khale, an unspoken agreement passing between them. And then, without another word, Wake and I leave, heading toward the next battle we must fight.
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