The Kidnapping
Berry was standing in the eastern tower when the first alarm sounded.
He turned sharply.
"What happened?"
A soldier ran toward him.
"Your Majesty!"
Berry grabbed his shoulders.
"Speak."
"It's Queen Zyane."
Berry's expression changed.
"What about her?"
"She's gone."
The soldier swallowed.
"They took her."
Berry froze.
For several seconds, he could not speak.
Then—
"Who?"
"We don't know."
"How many?"
"We don't know."
Berry pushed past him.
"Where is King Morale?"
"In the western courtyard."
Berry ran.
When he reached the courtyard, Morale was already surrounded by soldiers.
"Berry!"
"Where is Zyane?"
Morale's expression was grim.
"They took her from the palace."
Berry looked around.
"How?"
"No one saw them enter."
"Then someone opened the gates."
Morale nodded slowly.
"That's what I believe."
Berry's eyes narrowed.
"A traitor."
Before Morale could answer, Ava arrived with JC and Kael.
Berry looked at Kael.
His hand immediately went to his sword.
"Who is he?"
Ava stepped between them.
"Someone who knows who we're fighting."
Berry looked suspiciously at Kael.
"Then start talking."
Kael looked at everyone.
The Man Who Should Be Dead
Zyane's heart raced.
Tyler stepped closer.
But something was different.
His face carried scars.
One eye was covered by a dark piece of cloth.
Yet the voice was unmistakable.
"Surprised?"
Zyane stared at him.
"Ava killed you."
Tyler smiled.
"She tried."
"You were dead."
"I was almost dead."
He walked around her.
"But almost is not dead."
Zyane struggled against the chains.
"Berry will find me."
"I know."
"He will destroy you."
Tyler laughed.
"Berry has always been predictable."
Zyane glared at him.
"You don't know him."
"I know exactly who he is."
Tyler leaned closer.
"He loves you."
Zyane said nothing.
"And that," Tyler whispered, "is why he will give me exactly what I want."
Zyane's eyes narrowed.
"The crown."
Tyler smiled.
"No."
He turned toward the doorway.
"Something much more valuable."
"What?"
Tyler looked back.
"Ava."
Zyane's blood ran cold.
Tyler's smile returned.
"This time, she won't escape me."
Outside the fortress, thunder rolled across the mountains.
And far away, Ava was already riding toward him.
She had no idea that the enemy she believed she had defeated was waiting for her.
She had no idea that the Crown of the Future had chosen JC.
And she certainly did not know the greatest secret of all.
The prophecy had not said that someone might die.
It had said that one of them would.
And someone had already begun preparing for the sacrifice.
"The Silver Council has existed for centuries."
Morale's face changed.
"You know them?"
Kael nodded.
"I served them."
Berry raised his sword.
"You served the people who kidnapped my wife?"
"Yes."
"Then why shouldn't I kill you?"
Kael looked at him calmly.
"Because I am the only person who knows where they took her."
Berry lowered his sword.
"Where?"
Kael pointed toward the mountains.
"The old fortress of Veyra."
Morale went silent.
Berry noticed.
"You know that place."
Morale nodded.
"Everyone knows the legend."
"What legend?"
Morale looked toward Ava.
"The fortress where kings were once sacrificed to preserve the Crown of the Future."
Ava stared at him.
"And you never told me?"
Morale sighed.
"Because some truths are more dangerous than lies."
Ava stepped closer.
"No more secrets."
Morale looked at her.
Then at JC.
Then at the crown hidden beneath Ava's cloak.
His expression changed.
"You found it."
Ava nodded.
Morale closed his eyes.
"Then the time has come."
Berry stepped forward.
"What time?"
Morale looked at him.
"The time when all our kingdoms must choose what they are willing to sacrifice for the future."
Ava tightened her grip on JC's hand.
"We're going to rescue Zyane."
Berry nodded.
"Together."
JC smiled.
"Like before."
Ava looked toward the mountains.
"No."
Her voice was firm.
"This time, we're not just fighting to survive."
She raised her sword.
"We're fighting to end this."
Far away, inside the fortress of Veyra, Zyane opened her eyes.
She was chained to a stone chair.
A hooded figure stood before her.
"Where is Berry?"
Zyane refused to answer.
The figure smiled.
"He will come."
Zyane stared at him.
"And when he does?"
The hooded man removed his hood.
Zyane's eyes widened.
"You..."
The man smiled.
"Yes."
And Zyane whispered the name she thought had disappeared forever.
"Tyler."