THE LAST WAR: PART THREE - GUARDIAN OF THE GATE

The final installment in "The Last War" trilogy begins nine months after the Great Siege of Pylos. Will peace be achieved between the Onderians and the Mar'Kaa, or will history continue to repeat itself?   DRAMATIS PERSONAE:

• Adeline, Queen of Onderon, Child of Fire [Onderian]
• Ganner Rylandar, High Prince of Onderon, Child of Earth [Human]
• Rayden, Kangli Emperor of Reborn Da'Lyan, Child of Water [Mar'Kaa, Imperial Family of Lian]
• Annira, Heir to the Onderian Throne [Human-Onderian]
• Ayden Rylandar, Prince Royal of Onderon, presumed heir to the Human Kingdom of Ryland [Human-Onderian]
• Hua Rui, Hua Empress of Reborn Da'Lyan [Mar'Kaa, Hua Tribe]
• Yela Yuvin, Prince of Yeling, son of the Kangli Emperor [Mar'Kaa, Yela Tribe & Imperial Family of Lian]
• Liya Yu, Advisor to the Kangli Emperor [Mar'Kaa, Liya Tribe]
• Marquis General Puyan Di, Commander of the Puyang Army, the White Tiger of Guilin Hill [Mar'Kaa, Puyan Tribe]
• General Puyan Jun, Commander of the Chiyun Battalion and Young Marshal of the Puyang Army [Mar'Kaa, Puyan Tribe]
• Captain Tallus Tykrana, House of Goral, Praetorian Guard [Onderian]
• Kai'leen, Heir to the Great Mother of Herne, War Chief [Ney'shi]
• Colin Rylandar, King of the Humans [Human]
• Kayra Astier, the young Captain of the Royal Guards [Human]
• Yular Langhua, Noble Consort Jing [Mar'Kaa, Yular Tribe]
• High Lord Arik Caelian, House of Tylena, Supreme Commander of the Onderian Armed Forces [Onderian]
• Lord Hektor Belleron, House of Vasilus, Commander General of the Western Elva Army [Onderian]
• Elder Luka Ga'as, Archon Emeritus of the Greater House of Ga'as and former Commander General of the Western Elva Army [Onderian]

PROLOGUE   We see a flashback to the Sack of Aurain. Ganner is trying to call upon the spirits of the dead Queens still awaiting judgment by holding upon the Gates to the Hall of Judgment. He hears what is presumably the voice of the ALLFATHER telling him that he will pay a price - a great price - for what he is about to do. Ganner says nonchalantly at that time that he will accept the price. We then see Adeline and Rayden fighting on a very small raised cliff. Though both look very injured, Rayden eventually wins and stabs Adeline in the heart. Adeline seemingly dies in Ganner's arms.   Ganner wakes him from his nightmare! He looks to his side and sees Adeline sleeping. He then leaves the tent and goes to the infirmary - it is the dead of night.   THE BACK DOOR (AKA THE DEFENSE OF TRYKAN and not-to-be-forgotten, NEWTOWN)   Onderian Camps   It is the early morning of what is to be the Great Battle/Defense of Trykan. Having laid siege upon The Pylos nine months ago to no success, the Mar'Kaa have given up on trying to enter Onderian lands through the Hanging City. Instead they are trying to enter the heartland of Onderon (aka Trykan) through the southern slopes of the Great Mountain Ranges. Through the underground mountain rivers that Rayden was able to hollow out before the Sack of Aurain, the Mar'Kaa armies, slowly but steadily, have passed through Silva's Forest and have arrived at the doorsteps of Trykan, the beating heart of the Onderian kingdom. The Mar'Kaa have brought practically all their forces: the Southern Nantian and Puyang Armies, the Northern Beishan Army, and the Second Lianmeng Army. Due to their expertise in the geography of the Great Mountain Ranges, the Great Lake, and Silva's Forest, even the Khitar Tribe has finally been recalled from exile in the Free Merchant Cities of Kalinga Bay - they have formed their own tribal force "the Khitan Army".   Given Trykan's importance, all four members of Onderon's Royal Family, as well as the Northern Silva Army, the Western Elva Army, and half of the Southern Meikha Army have joined together to defend the metropolis. Meanwhile, the Eastern Samara Army and the Aerial Legion are guarding the "front door" (Silva's Forest is the "back door") to Onderon aka Pylos. The Northern Silva Army is led by Lady Ephedra Corvus who hails from the military House of Ga'as while the half of the Southern Meikha Army is led by Lord Kosta Tiryns, House of Mykenae whom we met during the Great Siege(s) of Pylos.   On the morning of the battle, Adeline leaves her tent and tries to talk to Tallus, who practically replies with three words and walk away. She sighs in exasperation. She sighs again in exasperation when she sees Ganner, when exiting the infirmary, see her approaching and immediately go back inside. Adeline is joined by High Lord Arik Caelian, House of Tylena, who asks her if she's been having "marital issues", given that Ganner has spent practically all of his nights since he arrived at Trykan in the infirmary. Adeline reproaches Arik for his inappropriate question but then answers rather miserably that Ganner has been extremely distant since his return from Ryland - he will often leave her during the night to go stalk out at the infirmary. At first she thought that it was lingering regret regarding his decision to finally let go of his "position" with the Humans, but that was nine months ago - surely, something else is bothering him but he won't tell her what. On the other hand, Tallus has been practically morose and irritable since Cassander's death - he also refuses to talk to her if "unnecessary", often taking his frustrations out of poor Talin. "My husband refuses to sleep with me and my best friend won't talk to me, while my other best friend killed my other, other best friend. I only have you of all people to talk to." Adeline grumbles that she's stuck with "old man" Arik.   Lord Kosta Tiryns, House of Mykenae, the Commander General of the Southern Meikha Army joins them and their conversation turns to the Western Elva Army (temporarily relocated from the Hearth City of Elva to Trykan) which has recently lost its Commander General. Arik worries about the promotion of the young Lord Hektor Belleron, House of Vasilus, to the position of Commander General, citing his youth and relative inexperience compared to the other Vice-Generals. He only promoted Hektor because the former Commander General as well as the current Vice-Generals asked him to. Adeline is not too worried about this young Hektor, for he is the mentee of the esteemed Lord Luka Ga'as, Archon Emeritus of the House of Ga'as and former Commander General of the Western Elva Army - a close friend of her own mentor, Annyla the Black Wolf. Kosta offers to escort Adeline to go see this Hektor.   Trykan   Tallus notices Talin actively shifty and follows him into the Grand Chamber of Archons where he stumbles on Annira, Heir to the Throne, meeting with her cousin Lady Emilyn Tylena, Archon of House Tylena, and Chancellor Livvy (Livia) Balasich, Archon of the Greater House of Balasich. Talin has been helping Annira meet with the two stateswoman privately for she has been trying to sort out a peace plan behind Adeline's back on the eve of battle. Tallus is furious at Anny for wanting to make peace with the Mar'Kaa who have killed so many of their people and for doing it behind Adeline's back. Anny thinks he's acting this way because he is still mad at Rayden for Cassander's death. Tallus denies this accusation and forces her to go back to the camps to prepare for the battle. He scolds Talin for helping Anny and reminds his nephew that above all he is a Praetorian Guard - his loyalty is only to the Queen of Onderon.   Onderian Camps   Ayden brings his father news of the Human Kingdom - the Old King Colin is back on his feet and has rapidly dispatched the rebels. However, there is still a succession crisis to be had. Once Ganner formally renounced his claim to the Throne, he also technically renounced his male child and thus heir's, aka Ayden's, right to the Throne. The Humans are trying to figure out who should ascend as King after Colin's death or even if there should still be a monarchy. Ganner thinks the humans should just dissolve the "Rylandar Kingdom" after his father's death and go back to the old ways of the Five Kingdoms (now they are Principalities) before the first Sazoryn Emperor. Ayden is shocked and asks if that's even possible. Unlike the Onderians and the Mar'Kaa, there was no civil war or any type of war that led to the Sazoryns become the first elected Kings. The Five Kingdoms had voluntarily decided to be ruled by the first Sazoryn Kingdom (unfortunately the Sazoryns became really terrible and changed the kingdom to empire etc.). How likely is it that the humans will choose to go back to the old ways?   Ayden tries to probe Ganner to get answers on what is upsetting his father so much that he has been unable to sleep well. He also wonders if he and Adeline are having marital problems, for it really seems as if Ganner is avoiding Adeline these days. Does Ganner regret finally relinquishing his claim to the Human Throne? Does he blame Ayden's mother? Ganner assures his son that there's nothing wrong between him and Adeline - he just wants to make sure that Adeline doesn't suffer the consequences of his rash and unconsidered actions.   We come across a wrestling ring, where a young man loses a fight against one of the soldiers. He is thrown at the feet of Adeline and Kosta, who had just arrived onto the scene. With a short bark from Adeline, the crowd soon disperses. The young man who had so embarrassingly lost the wrestling match and was subsequently thrown at Adeline's feet is none other than the young Lord Hektor Belleron, House of Vasilus, the newly-promoted Commander General of the Western Elva Army. He apologizes sheepishly to his Queen who simply can't even - she just rolls her eyes and walks away. Kosta proclaims Hektor as his heir, as he resembles a wilder and younger version of Kosta and promises to take young Hektor under his wing. Adeline, who is still in earshot, asks how that is possibly a good thing.   The three of them arrive at the central tent where they find Arik, Lady Ephedra, Ayden and Anny and a guest who is none other than the esteemed Lord Luka Ga'as, Archon Emeritus of the Greater House of Ga'as and the former Commander General of the Western Elva Army. He greets Adeline as "Your Majesty" while he is greeted by the others with a short bow and an address of "Elder". When Adeline bents her neck slightly, indicating her respect for an Elder, Luka tells her that it is not appropriate for a reigning Queen to bend any part of her body (neck or bow) to a subject. Adeline replies that she can do whatever she wants since she is Queen. Hektor runs forward to help his mentor sit down. Arik has brought Elder Ga'as as a consultant, both for him and for Hektor. Luka was the commander General of the Western Elva Army when he (and the army) accompanied Adeline's mother, the previous Queen Elvira, and the Fifth Army to "conquer" Southern Mar'Kaa and the capital of Da'Lyan - Das'Vengar. Luka remarks on the importance and significance of Advisor Liya Yu, who counsels Kangli Emperor (Rayden) on the affairs of war and who was the former Vice-Commander of the Imperial Guards, serving directly under his cousin, Grand Princess Liyang, the eldest/only daughter of the Shengdi Yunle Emperor (Rayden's father) and the Liya Empress. Along with the deceased Lady Yuen (formerly Noble Consort Yuen of Das'Yulan), Liya Yu's experience is notable as he is one of the few who was alive to witness the fall of Da'Lyan to Elvira. Luka thinks they should target Liya Yu to hurt Rayden's and his army's morale, though Adeline seems unwilling to do so. Anny once again tries to bring up the subject of a truce/peace treaty but Luka believes it is not possible - he saw, and participated in, the damage and destruction of Das'Vengar and Da'Lyan.   Mar'Kaa Camps   In the Mar'Kaa camps, we see two rival factions that have arisen since the Great Siege of Pylos - the Northern and Southern Factions. The Northern Faction is led by Noble Consort Jing of Das'Yulan, who hails from Rayden's maternal tribe. It is composed of the Beishan Army (a composite of Northern Tribes), led by General Liya Heng and the returning Khitar Tribe - its Khitan Army led by General Khi Han. The Southern Faction is led by the Hua Empress and is composed of the Nantian Army (composite of Southern Tribes), led by the Empress' cousin and new Hua Chief, General Hua Feng, and the Second Lianmeng Army (composite of Northern and Southern Tribes), led by General Sima Ang, an Imperial descendant from his maternal line. This two factions argue and argue and disagree on practically everything. Complicating the matter are Advisor Liya Yu and Yela Yuvin, Prince of Yeling who will often favor different factions, with the former favoring the Northerners and the latter favoring the Southerners. General Puyan Jun, the Young Marshal of the Puyang Army (and Commander of its Chiyun Battalion), finds himself increasingly exasperated by the lack of unity in their camp - with the two factions always fighting over literally everything. Given that the Puyang Army chose to "remain neutral" and not side with either faction (despite the Puyang Tribe being a Southern Tribe), Jun finds himself stuck in the middle of the faction arguments, always having to mediate.   When Jun tries to interfere in the faction arguments, he suddenly finds himself the new target of their ire. The rapid rise of the Puyang Army under his mother's command and Rayden's rule has resulted in a lot of jealousy and resentment from the other armies towards the Puyang Army. The Hua Empress dislikes Marquis General Puyan Di (promoted from General a couple months ago) because she refuses to involve the Puyang Army in faction fights/take the Southern Faction side despite the Puyang Tribe being a Southern Tribe (actually it is because Puyan Di knows the truth of the Empress' manipulations during Adeline's stay at the Das'Vengar court). General Sima Ang of the Second Lianmeng Army and Advisor Liya Yu dislike the Puyang Army for not coming to the capital Das'Vengar's aid on Darkest Night (the Puyang Army instead chose to return to Das'Puyang since it came under attack by Onderian forces) - they both believe that had the Puyang Army chose to let Das'Puyang fall and had instead come to Das'Vengar's aid, they might have still had a chance. On the other hand, the other faction generals also dislike Puyan Di personally for it was she who "surrendered" Das'Puyang to Elvira and the Onderian Forces after the death of her Master, the Yellow Tiger. Some even distrust Jun for he spent a couple months in Onderian captivity as a POW.   It is only when Rayden, followed by Marquis General Puyan Di, enters the tent and orders everyone to stop saying shit about the Puyang Army do they shut up. The Hua Empress immediately brings up the issue of Yuvin's title - although he was made Prince of Yeling nine months ago, the title is a made-up one (as in it is not an official Imperial title such as "Prince of Yu" or "Prince of Ning") because Rayden wanted to honor Das'Yeling and the Yela Tribe for granting Yuvin, their tribesman, to the Imperial Family of Lian. As the Emperor's only child (though not by blood), she believes Yuvin should receive an official Imperial title, given his contributions in battle. When Rayden asks her if she has any suggestions, the Hua Empress suggests "Prince of Bao". The Northern Faction doesn't like this for the title of "Prince of Bao" has often been the title of Princes who would later be crowned Taizi (or Crown Prince) or even directly go on to inherit the Throne (if the incumbent Emperor dies before promoting the "Prince of Bao" to Taizi). Noble Consort Jing says it is not appropriate that the Prince of Yeling should receive such a title given that he is not a blood child of Rayden's. However, both Rayden and the Hua Empress become upset at the mention of the fact, with the Hua Empress stating that even though Yuvin is an adopted Imperial son, he is still the only Imperial child. However, Noble Consort Jing stuns the room (aka the tent) by announcing that "the Prince of Yeling will not be the only Imperial heir for long" - she is three months pregnant with the Emperor's child. The Hua Empress is furious and Yuvin looks nervous.   The announcement that Noble Consort Jing is pregnant with an Imperial heir worries the Southern Faction for it is clear that the Hua Empress has lost "the Emperor's favor", as he "only cares about her when it comes to governance and warfare issues". The Hua Empress and General Hua Feng tell Yuvin not to worry, for he is still the only Imperial heir for now - and Noble Consort Jing's child might end up being a girl (a girl cannot inherit). Due to their comments, Yuvin also starts questioning his self-worth and what he means to Rayden. Advisor Liya Yu brings up his concerns regarding the Prince of Yeling to Rayden. He thinks that Yuvin is too influenced by the Hua Empress and the Hua Tribe and always sides with the Southerners. However, Rayden retorts back that Liya Yu also sides with the Northerners too. Advisor Liya accepts the jab in good-nature and Rayden tells him that he does partially agree with his comment - Yuvin needs to be less dependent on the Hua Tribe. He hopes Advisor Liya can mentor Yuvin just as he mentored and guided Rayden before. Advisor Liya says that it was really Lady Yuen who mentored Rayden - he just helped her out where he could. Rayden becomes sad at the mention of the deceased Lady Yuen and makes Advisor Liya promise that he will be careful and will not fall to the same fate for he would not be able to stand it with both Lady Yuen and Advisor Liya being gone. Advisor Liya promises to take care of himself and to mentor the Prince of Yeling. (It should be clear from their conversation that Advisor Liya does not know the truth about the Hua Empress' actions during the events of The Last War. This will become important later on.)   Jun discusses the faction fights with his mother. He thinks that it is "not safe" for the Puyang Army to remain factionless/neutral, for it often becomes the punching ball of both the Northern and Southern Faction. However, the Marquis General is adamant on remaining neutral because she thinks the Puyang Army should be loyal only to the Kangli Emperor and not to either of his wives. Jun brings up Noble Consort Jing's pregnancy and asks if push becomes shove, which "heir" his mother will side with. Puyan Di doesn't want to think that far though Jun knows that the Puyang Army needs to prepare for the situation in which Rayden does die. Given the ire and resentment directed against the Puyang Army, they must find some way to protect themselves.   The Battle of Trykan Commences   The Onderians and Mar'Kaa prepare to face-off in battle. Ganner looks increasingly distracted/worried. Adeline tries to talk to him one last time but he refuses to really speak to her. During the battle, once again Anny's and Adeline's life are both in danger at the same time and once again, Talin chooses to go after Anny which infuriates Tallus. Anny engages with Jun but it is clear neither of their hearts are in the fight. After Tallus sees Rayden and tries to engage his former childhood friend in battle (presumably to "avenge" Cassander's death at Rayden's hands), Adeline steps in to save Tallus' hide. She and Rayden fight though it is clear neither of their hearts are really in it. Rayden soon gains the upper hand over Adeline but finds himself unable to kill her. His hesitancy to go all the way aka kill Adeline (the second time after the Great Siege of Pylos) is noticed by the Mar'Kaa and the Hua Empress. As Rayden wavers, Anny arrives in time to save her mother. She implores with Rayden to seek peace, surprising her godfather/uncle who still thought she hated him all this time. Unfortunately, their conversation is not ended when Yuvin jumps into the fold and fights Anny. This leads to Adeline and Rayden facing each other again. They both try to talk out the possibility of trying for peace again. Ganner is doing extremely terrible for he is being plagued by his visions/dreams of Adeline's death at Rayden's hand. He sees the two of them talking and mistakes it as Rayden trying to kill Adeline - his visions/dreams are now affecting his grasp of reality (technically, this is true). Ganner then jumps into the fold and almost kills Rayden by "drawing the life out of him". Only by the intervention of Advisor Liya and the Puyang mother-and-son duo is Rayden saved from Ganner's hands. The battle ends with a stalemate, though with greater losses on the Onderian side.   THE BACK DOOR CLOSES (TEMPORARILY)   Onderian Camps   Adeline confronts Ganner about his "issues" and he finally tells her the truth. Since he left for Ryland to save his father, Ganner has been having recurring visions/nightmares of Adeline's death at Rayden's hands. And it is his fault. For his actions of temporarily holding back the Gate to the Hall of Judgment to allow the souls of Onderian Queens who have not yet received judgment (and therefore passed onto their next lives), he is being punished by the Allfather and his punishment is Adeline's death. Despite hearing of her potential death, Adeline seizes on the fact that the ALLFATHER is visiting Ganner in his dreams/visions, which has almost never happened before to any worshipper. Adeline, the most religious/pious of the three Children of the Allfather, has spent her life praying for guidance from the Celestials. Now here stands Ganner, who doesn't actually even believe that they really even are the so-called Children of the Prophecy (he doesn't believe in the First Prophecy of Cassandra) and who has not prayed even one day in his life, being visited by the Allfather himself. Adeline decries the unfairness/injustice of the situation. Ganner becomes angry at her for not taking the situation seriously - she is going to die, and it is because of him. He storms off.   Arik, Elder Luka, the three Commander Generals, and the twins (Ayden and Anny) meet to discuss the current stalemate situation. Although neither side "won" the previous battle, Elder Luka remarks that the Mar'Kaa outnumber the Onderians 5:1 and soon, just by the sheer size of the Mar'Kaa armies and their short-term durability (remember the Mar'Kaa cannot feel pain), they may overwhelm the Onderian armies and take Trykan. Arik reiterates that if Trykan falls, so too does the Kingdom of Onderon (given that Aurain is still being very slowly rebuilt). They may not recover if Trykan falls to the Mar'Kaa. It is only the special abilities of the Onderian side that is keeping their armies afloat and able to stop the Mar'Kaa from overrunning them. But, this cannot go on forever - they need a solution. Lady Ephedra brings up the idea of a naval assault given that the Onderian Fleets are better equipped and naval officers better trained than the Mar'Kaa's rag-tag fleet - however, Arik doesn't want to take the risk given that Rayden is after all, the Child of Water. They are already taking a risk with their positioning, given the proximity of both the Great Lake and Melika River - Rayden can easily turn the tide of any battle with a wave of his hand. However, Ayden doesn't believe Rayden would do that, given that such command would require Rayden to achieve his Cleansing/Purifier/Drowning Phase (akin to Adeline's Phoenix Phase and Ganner's Guardian Phase), which would severely drain his life force and cause him to go into a coma (like how Adeline and Ganner became comatose after the Sack of Aurain) - something that the Mar'Kaa cannot afford at this stage in the war.   Later, Anny and Ayden discuss the situation amongst themselves. Anny wonders if they can go for another push/attempt at negotiating for a temporary truce/peace treaty, given that Rayden seemed extremely reluctant to kill their mother. Ayden thinks it's worth a try for Anny to talk about this again with Chancellor Balasich and Chief State Councilor Tacitus, but would not put all his cards on this one shot. The most important thing would be to find a way to increase support for the Onderian forces. Anny doesn't know how they would go about doing that, given that they've practically used up all the Onderian Reserves. Ayden brings up the possibility of asking the Humans for help but Anny thinks it's highly unlikely - the Human Kingdom is currently figuring itself out (whether to remain as a kingdom or dissolve back into the Five/Six principalities). Besides, given that their father formally cut-off ties with his inheritance, the humans and the Human King have no reason to help the Onderians. It's not their war and Old King Colin clearly believes the Onderians to be at fault for this whole mess (he blames Elvira). Ayden poses the question, "what about giving the humans what they want most?" An heir? Anny is a little surprised - clearly Ayden is willing to offer himself as a potential heir to the Old King, bypassing their father Ganner in succession. She was not aware that Ayden had ambitions to rule. Ayden wryly asks her why he too can't have ambitions to rule. Unlike Anny, whose position has always been clear (she's the Heir to the Throne), Ayden's right to the Human throne has always been ambiguous and vague. Anny is clearly taken back by Ayden's intentions and wishes him luck, warning him that their father will not take his ideas well. They part ways though we see that their conversation was overheard by Adeline.   Anny talks to Chancellor Balasich about the peace plan. However, Chief State Councillor Tacitus finds out about their schemes and gets angry that they are doing this behind Adeline's back. He immediately insist on going to inform the Queen. A surly Tallus accosts Adeline and demands that they do something about Talin - the current situation cannot go on any longer.   Adeline summons Anny. Anny thinks it's about her secret peace plans with Chancellor Balasich but is surprised to find that Talin is there. Tallus tells Talin that he can't be a Praetorian Guard anymore because he keeps prioritizing Anny's life over the Queen's. Talin accepts the scolding from his uncle, even when Anny tries to defend him. Adeline tells Anny and Tallus to let her speak to Talin alone. She tells Talin that it is not that she is not grateful he cares for her daughter and heir - that is why Adeline has not done anything to him yet. However, Tallus is right. And honestly, it is not fair to him and the other two Praetorian Guards to be doing Talin's duty for him (basically they're carrying his weight). When Anny and Tallus are asked to come back in, Adeline tells them that she's sending Talin on a mission to the Hearth City of Elva to overlook some defenses (in the absence of the main Western Elva Army). Although she will not be making it public, she will also be excommunicating him from the Praetorian Order, which is the worse thing that can happen to a Praetorian Guard. Anny is shocked by her mother's harshness and tries to defend Talin but to no avail! She asks her mother if she's doing this to Anny because Tacitus told her about Talin helping her make secret peace plans with Chancellor Balasich behind her back.   Adeline tells her that Tacitus has not told her yet about the secret peace plan efforts made by Anny. She's known about it all along - as soon as Anny reached out to Chancellor Balasich, Chancellor Balasich informed her. Adeline warns Anny not to underestimate Chancellor Balasich for "Livvy Balasich" is a "wily old fox". She would never risk going behind the Queen's back only to be found out later by the Queen - not even for the Heir to the Throne, not even for peace. Adeline tells Anny that she's not upset by Anny's actions - she thinks Anny is finally act as a Queen should know, thinking critically and taking political actions. However, she doesn't think the peace plan will succeed. Even if Rayden refuses to kill her (and vice versa), he still keeps the Hua Empress by his side despite knowing what she did. Anny is adamant that they should at least keep trying and Adeline agrees - keep trying until defeat is certain. But when it is certain, Anny must learn to accept it.   Adeline has a private talk with Ayden, letting her son know that she overheard his conversation with Anny. They discuss Onderian succession (favoring females), as well as the Mar'Kaa and Human successions (favoring males). Ayden criticizes the succession methods of the past Mar'Kaa Imperial dynasties. He also reveals his own insecurities and sense of worth. What is he? Who is he? What purpose does he serve? When he and Anny were younger and Anny was still acting out, everyone praised him for being a model Royal scion. But now that Anny has her shit together (she matured greatly in the year he was in the Free Cities of Kalinga Bay), he has been relegated to the position of spare. And then, Ganner gave up his claim to the Human Throne. He feels bad for his ambitions and wish he didn't have them. Adeline tells him that it is normal for him to have ambitions, given his blood and lineage. Although she thinks his father (aka Ganner) won't agree with this idea of asking the Humans for military aid, she encourages him to seek his own path. At some point, he cannot remain the son of the Onderian Queen, the brother of a future Queen, or even the son of a deposed Human Crown Prince. If he does want to remain as such, it must be his own decision. He cannot allow context and others to decide for him.   Advisor Liya becomes doubtful of Rayden's ability to kill Adeline. He knows that without Adeline's death, it will be very difficult for the Mar'Kaa to win the war. Noticing his doubts regarding Rayden, the Hua Empress tries to bring him over to her side and see the truth, which is that someone must kill Adeline - be it Rayden or otherwise. However, Advisor Liya points out who else can kill a Child of the Allfather if not for another Child? Who would even dare to, given that the person who kills a Child of the Allfather may bring down the Allfather's wrath upon her/himself? The Hua Empress agrees - they have to make Rayden kill Adeline and/or Ganner. Rayden still has the advantage over the two because he hasn't used his phase elevation yet. Advisor Liya wonders how to do so. If only Lady Yuen were here - she was always able to make Rayden do what he was unwilling to without hurting him. With the mention of Lady Yuen, it looks like the Hua Empress has an idea.   Noble Consort Jing tries to bring Marquis General Puyan Di over to her side but to no avail. When she asks the general what it will take, Puyan Di replies that it will take Rayden's will. Puyan Di and the Empress also end up fighting verbally/disagreeing. The Hua Empress wants to get rid of her, for she is too dangerous to be left neutral in the faction fights. Jun tries to convince his mother not to be too harsh with either the Empress or the Noble Consort - it won't do the Puyang Army any good to get on their bad sides.   Eventually, Ganner and Adeline reconcile. They still don't know what to do about Ganner's dreams and so decide to "summon" Chief Merchant Ceferyn of Kalinga Bay, who apparently knows everything there is to know in the world. From his advice and comments, Adeline suddenly remembers the green dragon that visited her with Puyan Di on her way to Das'Vengar with the Puyang Army. Ceferyn tells her and Ganner that the green dragon can be found on the peaks of Mt. Vohra but it will be very difficult - though not impossible for Children of the Allfather, he imagines. To Adeline's annoyance, Ceferyn continues their conversation to implore her to try for peace again with Rayden. However, Adeline is adamant that it is impossible, given all that has happened between the two peoples. Ceferyn reminisces about the year that young Adeline, Rayden, Tallus, and Cassander had spent in the Bay of Kaling - when he saw how Adeline and Rayden acted with each other, he was foolishly hopeful enough to think that a different future awaited the Onderian and Mar'Kaa people - especially the vaulted status that is a Child of Allfather. He then leaves, but his words do cause Adeline to think her decisions over. She isn't sure she can kill Rayden.   Before Ceferyn is made to leave the Onderian camps, he asks Ganner for a favor - sneak him into Mar'Kaa camps so he can speak to Rayden. Ganner thinks this is a terrible idea but does successfully sneak the two of them into the Mar'Kaa camps where Ceferyn is able to secretly meet with Rayden with the help of Marquis General Puyan Qi and Jun. To Rayden, Ceferyn makes the exact same appeal. Unfortunately, his answer is the same as Adeline's - it is not impossible, there is too much animosity between the two species. The only way his people can accept a peace treaty now if he is dead or the Onderians get on their knees to beg for forgiveness for how Southern Mar'Kaa was subjugated by Lady Martia and her Fifth Army for four decades. Adeline would never agree to such terms - no reigning Onderian Queen would ever bow to another person, let alone a Mar'Kaa. And if the Onderian Queen will not take a knee, how could any other Onderian do so? In their conversation, Ceferyn lets slip the Mount Vohra green dragon plans. Ganner gives him a side-eye but doesn't comment on it. Their conversation (Ceferyn, Ganner, Rayden, and the Puyan mother-and-son duo) is seen (but not overheard) by Advisor Liya and the Hua Empress. The Hua Empress uses the opportunity to show the Advisor that Rayden has not completely left his old life behind - he still holds his old sentiments and relations dear. If he is secretly meeting with the Onderian High Prince and the Onderian Chief Merchant, how can he kill Adeline or Ganner? The fact that that Puyan Di and Jun attended the secret meeting also alarms Advisor Liya - the Hua Empress impresses upon him that the Puyan Generals are too loyal to the Kangli Emperor for raising their status, given that it is only his protection and faith in them (as well as their military prowess) that has stopped the other tribes from treating them badly like they did to the Hua Tribe. However, the Tribes have not forgotten how the Puyang Army chose to defend Das'Puyang instead of coming to the capital's aid all those years ago and how they made a deal with Lady Martia for self-rule.   Rayden wants to go find the green dragon on Mt. Vohra, especially after Puyan Di confirms that a green dragon did visit Adeline. Need to think of a good reason why. No one wants him to leave the Mar'Kaa camps but he is adamant on going. He implies that Adeline and Ganner are going to find a way to defeat the superior Mar'Kaa force in battle and so he too must go to find out the secret to adequately prepare their forces. Before he leaves, Hua Empress wants him to make Yuvin the Taizi (or at least Prince of Bao), in case "something" happens to Rayden and someone needs to command the Imperial Armies. however, Rayden points out that 1) he's taking Yuvin with him 2) as the Empress, Hua Rui has the authority to command the Imperial Armies in his absence (given that there's no Dowager Empress or designated Taizi). Even though Noble Consort Jing is pregnant and even if she gives birth to a son, the son will be too young to rule - as the legal mother, Empress will be Regent. Rayden is obviously baiting/setting a trap for the Empress. Before he leaves, he tells Jun to help his mother for Puyan Di, though a great general and war leader she may be, is not a politician.   Anny makes plan to go to the Natives of Herne to ask for help in fighting the Mar'Kaa. Elder Luka again impresses upon the War Council the need to take out Advisor Liya, though Adeline is still reluctant to do so. However, Lord Hektor seems to be willing to do as his mentor advises.   Ayden talks to his father about asking Old King Colin for help. Ganner is against it because he doesn't think it will work and the price seems to be too high for Ayden - if Ayden is made Crown Prince of Ryland and later King, he will have to leave everything he ever knew behind. Is that a price he is willing to pay? It wasn't a price Ganner was willing to pay. Although Ganner thinks Ayden will fail, he (like Adeline) thinks it can't hurt to try. Maybe Onderon is not Ayden's future. Maybe the Human Kingdom wasn't Ganner's future. It doesn't mean it can't be Ayden's.   THE SELFISH CHOICE   Ayden arrives in Ryland and is taken to see his grandfather, the Old King Colin, by Clan Princess Nelia Nenge of Afrann and the Elder Lord Adnan Kaleka of Orienne (Chief Advisor to the Crown). He finds out that Adnan's eldest child, a daughter by the name of Asha, went missing two decades ago when she ran off with some blacksmith because her parents didn't approve of her lover. Adnan, who had lost his wife a decade ago, has spent a lot of time looking for Asha and her family though to no avail. He wonders if he will ever find her. At the Royal Court of Ryland City (sometimes called Central), Ayden meets Kayra Astier, the young Captain of the Royal Guards, and Hereditary Prince Valin Stryver of the Nordea Principality, Chieftain of the Northern Clans.   Ayden's meeting with his grandfather, the Old King Colin is very tense. However, with Clan Princess Nelia's help, the Old King agrees to at least house Ayden for a hot minute.   One day, Ayden sees a portrait of his grandmother - Aislyn, Grand Imperial Princess of Sazoryn, who was posthumously named Queen of the Humans (after Colin's ascension to the throne). His grandfather joins him in front of the portrait and gives him a rundown of his love life - he was only with Aislyn for two years but because of those two years, he's lived a full life. Ayden wonders why his grandfather is so harsh on Ganner when he himself has known and lost a love like Grandmother. Colin explains that after Aislyn's death, which he believes Aislyn foresaw, he had only Ganner and his goal to build a safe and prosperous Human kingdom. Ganner was the last piece he had of Aislyn and when Ganner made his decision to stay with Adeline and his unborn child, Colin lost not only his son and heir, but felt like he was losing Aislyn all over again. He comes and looks at this portrait of Aislyn because without it, he cannot even remember what she looked like (after all, he is kinda old).   Old King Colin asks Ayden if he knows the difference between a ruler/leader and the masses. Both are fallible and have similar if not the same weaknesses. But crucial to a ruler's ability to rule well is the choice that he or she must make every minute of every day: to make the selfish choice, or to be selfless and think for the benefit of others - for the benefit of the people and the kingdom. In his view, Ganner made the wrong choice - he made the selfish choice, not once but twice. The first time, he chose to stay with Adeline and his unborn child instead of returning to Ryland to do his duty and responsibility as Crown Prince. The problem wasn't that Ganner chose the Onderian Queen of all people to be his wife (though inconvenient it is), or that he fathered children with her. In Colin's eyes, the children would be a good way to unite the Humans and Onderians. The problem was that Ganner would not be parted from Adeline or their child. He chose them over his own people, kingdom, and father.   The second time, Ganner was selfish or at least inward thinking when he "gave up" his claim to the Human Throne. By giving up this claim, he is in fact disinheriting his own children who also carry the blood of old Sazorn. Ganner did not have the right to give up what was not entirely his. He should not have denied Ayden's and Anny's human birthright.   Colin also criticizes Adeline - "she's just like her mother". She just had to go to the Imperial Lian Court and kill the Emperor's Father-in-Law during a temporary truce! How like a daughter of Elvira! Ayden defends his mother but Colin doesn't really care. "Maybe she killed the Empress' father, maybe she didn't. I cannot know for certain. But what I do know is that if she had freed Southern Mar'Kaa from Onderian Occupation as she was planning to do ten years ago, if she had not been blinded by her fury over her son's (Ayden's) kidnapping, this entire war could have been avoided." If Adeline had done the right thing all those years ago and had not made the selfish choice, how many lives could have been saved? She chose her own son, or rather yet, her own feelings of hurt and anger over her son's kidnapping, over the future peace of both the Onderians and Mar'Kaa. And Ayden wasn't even the Heir to the Throne.   Ayden believes his grandfather is too critical of his parents. They have made mistakes and they are fallible, even if they are Children of the Prophecy - Children of the Allfather. He wonders if this is all the Allfather's great plan etc. Colin doesn't really believe in Cassandra's Prophecy. Maybe Ganner is the Child of Earth/Prophecy, maybe he isn't. Aislyn never wanted Ganner to wield the dual burdens of being a Rylandar-Sazoryn Prince AND a Child of Prophecy, so Colin just ignored the potential propheticalness of Ganner. All Colin know is what he was witness and participant to - Ganner is his and Aislyn's child and carries the blood of the old Imperial Family of Sazoryn of the past and the Rylandar blood of the future. Thus, he always had the responsibility of making the selfless choice. But he didn't do that.   Colin urges his grandson to look at his own past and present to determine his future, his own worth and his destiny. Will he do what his father could not? Can he? It will not be an easy choice but then making the selfless choice was never going to be easy. Will he do the right thing for the Onderians? For the Humans?   THE CYCLE OF VENGEANCE   Anny arrives to the Forest(s) of Herne where she meets Kai'leen, who she learns is the heiress to the "Great Mother". Anny and the Natives of Herne (there are many native groups) go back and forth on what Herne is to the Kingdom of Onderon. They want more protection from the Onderian Royal Armies so that the slave ring/fight club situation with the Khitar Tribe never happens again. However, Anny asks them that it's not fair to "ask for representation without taxation." If the Natives of Herne don't pay their dues, they cannot be treated like any other Onderian city, town, or territory. Kai'leen wants to fight the Mar'Kaa. She tells Anny that she seeks vengeance upon the Khitar Tribe - she hears that there is now a Khitan Army and they have been recalled by the Lian Emperor (Rayden). Anny tries to warn her of falling into the never-ending cycle of blood feuds, a cycle that the Onderians and Mar'Kaa are stuck in. However, Kai'leen think it is only just. The Khitar Tribe deserves what they are getting.   The Journey to the Green Dragon   Adeline, Ganner, and their crew decide to go up the mountain together with Rayden, Yuvin, and their crew. Rayden’s justification is that without Adeline (the Child of Fire), they will probably freeze to death. Adeline tries to probe Yuvin, but he is very cold towards her, which makes her extremely sad. She wonders what lies Hua Rui (the Empress) has told him, but Yuvin defends his foster mother aggressively.   Rayden and Tallus are very awkward towards one another, given that Rayden did kill Cassander. Rayden asks Adeline how Tallus is doing but she replies that she doesn’t know. Tallus always keeps his emotions to himself, never showing, never telling. Since Cassander’s death, try as she might, he has shut himself off from her. She fears he blames her for Cassander’s death. Rayden replies that it makes more sense for Tallus to blame him, not Adeline but Adeline disagrees. “You know Tallus. Logical as ever. He could never blame you for what he knows most definitely is not your fault. Both Cassander and I…we have caused him harm. Of us, only you have not.”   Wild Tribe bandits attack them. Ganner, Rayden, Tallus, and the rest battle the bandits while Adeline forcibly takes Yuvin to flee. Yuvin is angry that Adeline chose not to fight and instead flee – he never expected her to be a coward amongst all things. Adeline just sighs and replies that one must always know one’s place. As monarch, she cannot always put herself at risk – her death could mean the death of many more. “My life does not solely belong to me.”   Some of the bandits break away from the group and manage to find Adeline and Yuvin. Adeline barely breaks a sweat. However, Yuvin manages to unmask one of the bandits (they were wrapped head to toe in cloth) and is shocked to find that the bandit is NOT a Wild Tribe, but rather a Mar’Kaa person – and a Mar’Kaa person with Hua tribe markings. This throws Yuvin off-balance, and he is incidentally injured by the bandit. Adeline sees and kills the bandit, saving Yuvin’s life. Now it is just the two of them.   Yuvin can’t understand how a Hua tribe assassin is trying to kill them. That would mean that the Empress, his foster mother, is trying to kill him and his father, Rayden. Adeline tells him maybe not. The assassins tried their best not to hurt him (though they did try to kill everyone else in the party). She thinks that Hua Rui wants to preserve Yuvin for she wants Yuvin to be Emperor after Rayden’s death. Yuvin becomes furious and accuses Adeline of slandering Hua Rui. How dare she, after what she did to Yuvin’s foster grandfather, Hua Lin! Adeline tries to tell him that it was Hua Rui who killed her own father to frame Adeline and keep the war continuing but Yuvin doesn’t believe it. Adeline becomes upset that Yuvin can so easily hate her. She turns her back to him. Yuvin remembers the words of his foster mother telling him that Rayden will probably not be able to kill Adeline (as he has shown repeatedly). For his father’s sake, Yuvin should do what he cannot if he ever gets the chance. Realizing that he is alone with Adeline and Adeline has her back turned to him, he stabs her in the back. Adeline is shocked and heartbroken (though it doesn’t seem as if the stab wound is super fatal).   Yuvin’s attempted murder of Adeline is witnessed by Ganner, Rayden, Tallus and the remaining members of their party as they return from defeating the Hua assassins disguised as Mountain Wild Tribe bandits. Before they get a chance to say or do anything, the last surviving Hua assassin-archer (who was hiding in the shadows) shoots an arrow at Adeline which only grazes her in the shoulder but accidentally hits Yuvin as well, causing him to lose his footing and fall off the edge of the mountain. Tallus kills the lone archer. Seeing Yuvin falling, Adeline leaps over the edge to save him. She manages to grab his foot before the momentum also causes her to fall over the cliff. It is only Ganner’s quick action that saves them both – the tree on the cliff extends to rescue the two of them and pull them back up.   Tallus is extremely furious that the Prince of Yeling tried to assassinate Adeline in cold blood, especially after she’s done all she could to protect him, and Rayden agreed to their temporary truce on Mount Vohra. Rayden is embarrassed and shocked and apologizes for his wayward son who is still in shock over his actions and his almost fall of the cliff. Adeline only wants to forget about it. Tallus then turns his anger onto Adeline and rails at her for risking her own life for some Mar’Kaa whelp and then not even punishing him afterwards. How dare she treat her own life lightly? Adeline gets angry at Tallus in return and yells back that those words are the most he’s spoken to her in a year – does her life have to be in danger for Tallus to talk to her – to even look at her? Tallus is so angry that he storms off. Ganner shakes his head at Adeline.   Rayden tends to Yuvin’s wounds. He asks him why he tried to hurt Adeline and Yuvin tells him what the Empress said. Rayden is silent for a while. Afterwards, he tells Yuvin that the Empress has her own concerns and priorities. Although he believes that she does truly care about Yuvin, he also doesn’t want Yuvin to follow her every word – he wants Yuvin to think for himself. The Hua Tribe are assassins by blood and training – they don’t know how to handle things in other ways because they are taught to do things only in darkness and shadows. While there is value and some form of honor in the ways assassin conduct their business, the world of spies and assassins is not honorable – it cannot be. That is the sacrifice they make to do what they do and be what they be. Rayden gently scolds Yuvin that what he did to Adeline – stabbing her in the back – is not honorable. And worse, she had just saved his life and would save it again. Yuvin asks, “…but if I can kill the Queen of Onderon, wouldn’t that end the war? Wouldn’t that bring justice and honor to our Da’Lyan?”   Rayden: “Let’s set aside morals and ethics for now. Let us look at the repercussions of your actions.” If Yuvin had succeeded in killing Adeline, neither he nor Rayden would make it off the mountain alive. Though Ganner seems to be a peaceful and gentle soul, in a way, he’s the most powerful of all the Children of Allfather. Adeline can burn people alive; Rayden can dehydrate them or drown them…but nothing they do can compare to Ganner’s ability to literally drain the life force (soul) from people. If Ganner wanted to go one step further, he could perhaps (?) bar them from the Hall of Judgment, at least temporarily, for he is the Guardian of the Gate. Yuvin is quiet now. Then, Rayden goes on to explain that the war would not stop if Yuvin had killed Adeline… After hearing of her mother’s murder, would Anny the Heir to the Throne sit still? Even if Rayden managed to defeat Ganner, that would only rile up the Humans. Yes, the Old King Colin has disinherited Ganner as Crown Prince, but at the end of the day, Ganner is his only son. The only potential heir from Colin’s bloodline, Ayden, is Ganner’s child. The Mar’Kaa could never withstand a two-pronged assault from both the Onderians and the Humans.   Rayden: “Now let’s bring back morals and ethics…” To his knowledge, Adeline has never done anything against Yuvin. Quite the opposite, really. She has cared for Yuvin and has protected him. She literally risked her life to save him from falling off the cliff and still, Yuvin doesn’t seem to regret his own actions. Yuvin admits that he feels guilty for how he has treated Adeline and what he tried to do was not honorable. Rayden replies that sometimes, it is appropriate to sacrifice one’s honor for a greater purpose, but that time was not now. Yuvin understands that his actions were wrong and commits to apologizing to Adeline. Then he brings up the fact that the Hua tribe tried to kill Rayden… Rayden’s face darkens.   Ganner is healing Adeline, who is still cooling off from her bust up with Tallus. He gently asks (scolds) her why she did that – literally giving no thought to her own life by jumping off the mountain to save Yuvin. Adeline guilty replies that it was a gut instinct – Yuvin reminds her of Ayden. She only hopes that if Ayden ever finds himself in a similar position to Yuvin, someone will treat him as she has treated Yuvin. Ganner tells her that Tallus is not wrong to be upset with her actions. Adeline knows she did wrong to put herself at stake like this. (She references how she gave Yuvin a lecture about knowing the value of her own life and then a couple minutes literally throws herself off a cliff to save the boy.) But, sometimes, her emotions just go rampant. She says darkly that if she could control herself better, this war might not have happened (in reference to how crazily she acted when Ayden was kidnapped). Ganner tries to reassure her that mistakes are inevitable – now, she knows the wrongs she has done, and she won’t do it again.   Yuvin and Rayden come up to them, with Yuvin looking sheepish and guilty. Tallus literally gives Yuvin a death glare but Ganner waves at him to sit and calm down. Yuvin sincerely apologizes to Adeline for what he did to her, thanks her for saving his life, and admits that he now doesn’t believe she’s lying about Hua Rui. Adeline graciously accepts Yuvin’s apology and tells him that all she wants from him is a chance – the same chance he gave to her when they first met. “You are a good boy, Yela Yuvin. And you will be a good man one day. Just don’t try to grow up too quickly. You do not have to be the one responsible for assassinating me. There are others who can do that.”   The party gets together to discuss the Hua assassins trying to assassinate Rayden. Obviously, the Empress is behind all of this. Rayden surprises Yuvin by admitting that it’s partially the reason he took Yuvin and left everything behind with the Empress – he wanted her to reveal herself and her intentions. Otherwise, he would feel guilty for suspecting her without evidence. But now, he knows he was right to suspect her. He thinks it’s best that the Empress thinks she has succeeded for now, to draw her into the light. The Hua people don’t do well in the light. He commands one of the Mar’Kaa guards to go back and tell everyone that Rayden has “gone missing” and to imply very heavily that he’s dead. It wouldn’t do for the guard to be too sure Rayden is dead, for that would make the Empress suspicious. However, Yuvin thinks that people will believe it if a mere guard goes and tells them that Rayden is dead. He volunteers himself to go back and put Rayden’s plan into action. Rayden wonders if Yuvin has a hard enough heart to see Hua Rui’s true colors but Yuvin is adamant that he does what he can to pull Hua Rui onto the right path, to save her from ruin if possible. Rayden is convinced. Yuvin and the Mar’Kaa guard leave. Adeline wishes him well on his journey and mission.   The party takes shelter in a cave. Adeline keeps everyone warm. Ganner reveals the truth of why he seeks the green dragon. He believes that as punishment for releasing the spirits during the Battle for Aurain and opening the Gate, the Allfather will use Rayden to kill Adeline. Rayden glances at Adeline who just gives him a slight shrug in return. Rayden responds, “Ah, that’s why you were so aggressive towards me at Trykan. I thought it was strange that we’ve not had any significant interactions, but you really wanted to kill me.”   Rayden asks Adeline if she believes what Ganner is saying about the Allfather’s intentions to use her to punish Ganner. Does that change the reverence akin to filial piety that she feels towards the Allfather? Adeline doesn’t have a good answer to that. She doesn’t understand what the purpose of the three of them being born into this Continent is. There must be some reason, but it just feels so haphazard. If they were not important enough, why would they have the abilities they have? Why would their births be attached to a famous Gand prophecy? But if they were important enough, how could the Allfather use one Child (her) so casually as to punish another (Ganner)? How was Ganner supposed to know that he shouldn’t have done what he did (open the Gate)?   Rayden supposes that there is no rhyme and reason to their births. Perhaps this life is just one of many and they are meant to live it as best as they can. But what does that mean, Ganner wonders? What exactly are they supposed to accomplish/do? Rayden thinks that there isn’t a plan for them – they are to make their own path, make this life one that is worth living, worth the powers they have. Anyways, they will find out soon enough, hopefully. There are many questions they need to ask the green dragon.   While Ganner and Adeline are sleeping, Rayden leaves the cave to find Tallus who is sitting outside, deep in thought. Tallus allows Rayden to join him. Rayden takes the chance to apologize for Cassander’s death at his hands, but Tallus knows that it is not his fault. Rayden didn’t mean to kill Cassander. And that itself is a miracle after all that Cassander has done to him. Tallus asks for Rayden’s forgiveness on behalf of Cassander. Rayden wryly states that Adeline certainly knows Tallus well – she was able to predict all his thoughts and actions. He tells Tallus not to worry – he has long since forgiven Cassander. He doesn’t have the heart to hate his old friend and though still doesn’t really understand why Cassander couldn’t give him the benefit of the doubt, understands that at the very least Cassander did what he thought was right. Tallus thinks that if he had left the Guard and had married Cassander long ago, he might have been able to prevent all this tragedy or at the very least, discover what Cassander was up to. Rayden tells him not to feel so guilty – how would Cassander feel in the Hall of Judgment knowing that Tallus feels blames himself for Cassander’s actions?   Rayden sighs morosely and expresses his jealousy towards Adeline, Tallus, and Cassander who were all able to find (romantic) love. It’s something he has never been able to find or achieve. He’s been alone all his life. Tallus snorts and replies, “don’t you have like ten wives?” Rayden gives him a short glare. He sadly replies that yes, he does have ten wives, but those ten wives all calculate against him, trying to use him as best as they can for the sake of their tribes. He doesn’t blame them, but it does hurt, not knowing how deep their sincerity goes. To Rayden’s surprise, Tallus thinks that Rayden has true feelings for his Empress, the treacherous and cunning Hua Rui. Otherwise, would he feel as disappointed by the betrayal as he does now? Rayden admits that he does feel something for Hua Rui. It started with pity and ended with…who knows what? Though he always had a feeling that Hua Rui was never always being truthful with him, he didn’t care until he was forced to find out the truth. Tallus advises him to give his wife one more chance – he may regret forever if he doesn’t it. Besides, Rayden can afford that chance. Better he be disappointed another time than regret forever he never took that chance like Tallus does. Now Cassander is dead and there’s no way for Tallus to stop regretting.   There is a silence. Then, Tallus suddenly asks Rayden if he remembers when the four of them, when they were still children, coming across some old fraudster who was pretending to be possessed by a male Gand seer in the Ruins of Ilea? Rayden replies that he does and snorts in laughter – it was so obvious that the fraud was a fraud. Who’s ever heard of a male seer, much less a male Gand seer? There’s never been one recorded in history. But Tallus answers quite seriously, most of the things that male seer told them would happen did happen. For example, he told Cassander that one day, he would be forced to make an unthinkable choice and betray someone or some people that he loves. But he would do it for what he believes is the greater good. He told Adeline that she would be cursed with the fate of being the person that everyone makes sacrifices for. He told Rayden that the fate of betrayal will follow him everywhere. And-   Rayden interrupts him. He told Tallus that of them all, he will live the longest, though a lonely life it will be. Only death would free him from the chains of duty. Tallus expresses his fear that this prophecy will come to pass and that he will live long after they are dead. What would be the point then? Rayden: “The point? It will come to you then.” Rayden shakes his head. He refuses to beholden to prophecies, no matter how grand or insignificant they may be. Only time will tell their fate. “If we do all die and you are the last one standing, then at the very least, you should have no fear when death finally comes calling… For you should know with the greatest of certainty that we will be waiting in the Hall of Judgment.” “If you are still waiting…”, replies Tallus. Rayden: “We are not so impatient as you think.”   Rayden asks Tallus why he’s not told any of this (assumingly) to Adeline. She’s hurt that Tallus has not come to her. Tallus shakes his head. Adeline bears so many burdens. How can he add to them?   At that moment, they are interrupted by an angry Adeline who has obviously overheard their conversation. She is furious at Tallus for thinking this way. She hates that he keeps sacrificing for her though she never wanted him to. All she wanted was for him to be happy but now Cassander died saving her, so Tallus never can be! She asks him if he blames her for Cassander’s death and Tallus replies that he does, shocking everyone. But he doesn’t hate her. For he would have done as Cassander did. Adeline hates that both Cassander and Tallus go around doing unnecessary things for her sake. Why are they always protecting her and never thinking about their own happiness? “Because you are the Queen and we your subjects.” Tallus replies that at the end of day, they were born differently. They are meant to sacrifice for her. That is the way. Adeline doesn’t want it to be the way. She just wanted them to be happy. Tallus says he will happy when she stops blaming herself for Cassander’s death. They all know that Cassander made his own choices and faced the consequences.   Adeline tells Tallus that what would truly make her happy is if she can be Tallus’ friend. Tallus is always her friend but doesn’t allow her to be his. Tallus begrudgingly promises Adeline that he will do as she asks. The two of them make up. Ganner and Rayden observe the heartwarming scene from the side, with Ganner remarking how alike the two of them are. “One is fire, and the other is…well… FIRE.”   Later that night, Adeline, Tallus and Rayden toast Cassander to bid him farewell. They reminisce of their childhood and memories of Cassander. When Tallus is finally able to let Cassander go in his heart (“I am sorry, and thank you.”), Adeline and Rayden reach over to grasp his hands to give him support. The spirit of Cassander (allowed temporary passage by Ganner who has taken pitied on them) joins them temporarily, though they cannot see him. He looks at them all fondly and we hear him say…My friends…   The Fourth Child   The next day, the party reaches the peak and is greeted by the Green Dragon. To their surprise, the Green Dragon transforms into a young, willowy man in white robes carrying a staff. The man is the Child of Air, the only Child of the Allfather who lives in the truest of senses, an immortal and transcendent life, able to travel across space, time, and realities. Unlike his elder siblings, he can never die. Thus, he can never be reborn into different lives.   The Child of Air explains to them that the Allfather created his Children as an experiment, to see if he could create all-powerful and perfect beings who did his will at every whim. Unfortunately, it failed. The Allfather’s attempts to control and determine their fates in their first life led to the Great Disaster, in which Adeline and Rayden fought and killed one another, while Ganner tried but failed to save their lives. So, the Allfather decided to let the three of them be reborn as many times as it took to change this so-called predetermined fate, for the conflict between the three often caused disasters in the realities they are born into. Yet, in every life they have lived, at least one if not more has died at the hands of the other. Sometimes, it is Ganner and Rayden who would fight and try to kill each other, and Adeline would die trying to stop them. Or Adeline and Ganner would fight, and Rayden would die trying to save them. Now, the Allfather wonders, if telling them in advance (as he did with Ganner with the warnings of Adeline’s death at Rayden’s hands) would change their actions and thus their terrible fates.   With their elemental abilities, Adeline, Ganner, and Rayden enter a trance, facilitated by the Child of Air. In the trance, they meet an imprint of a deceased loved one.   Adeline meets her mother, Elvira the Conqueror. The theme of her conversation is can she forgive herself for what others have done in her name. Can she bear the weight of their sacrifices? The topic of conversation touches upon a myriad of sacrifices: Elvira’s life for Adeline (the price a person pays for bringing forth a Child of the Allfather into the world), Ganner being disinherited from the Human Kingdom, Cassander’s desire to “save” Adeline from the wrath of Rayden and the Mar’Kaa, Adeline’s grandmother’s life for that of Aurainians, Tallus’s commitment to staying by her side, Rayden’s attempt to protect her from knowing the truth, and onwards. Adeline also disparages her mother for what she did to gain the Throne and how she treated the Mar’Kaa. She has always carried the stain of being Elvira’s daughter and has worked so hard not to be judged by her mother’s sins. Elvira claims that she did everything for her daughter. When she was yet a child (and still a Princess of the Second Rank), Elvira dreamt that one day she would give birth to a daughter who would bear the mantle of being the greatest and most powerful Queen in Onderon’s history – a Child of the Allfather. Elvira believed in that dream and worked so hard in her life to achieve it. Even when people slandered her saying that she could never bear a healthy child because of her crimes, Elvira knew in her heart it would be worth it one day and she would bring Adeline into this world. She implores Adeline not to waste this chance, the sacrifices she has made. Adeline can conquer the Continent – that is how greatness and immortality will be achieved. Adeline is disgusted and disappointed. Her idea of greatness is different from her mother’s. She’s never wanted to be great; she’s just wanted to be a good person. Being Queen makes that very difficult. But now, Adeline will no longer use that as an excuse. She will do what she thinks is right. No matter how hard it is, she will make it happen. Anny was right. Adeline leaves the dream, resolute in her determination to stop the war and break the cycle.   Ganner also meets his mother, Aislyn, Imperial Princess of Sazoryn and later Hereditary Princess of the Nordea Principality – a seeress in her own right. The theme of his conversation is letting go. Letting go of his pride (the incident that caused the scar on his face), of his birthright and place in the world that is his and his only (for Adeline and their children), of his father, his home, and the family he knew, and finally, letting go of Adeline when the time comes. Ganner feels like all his life, he has let go of things that meant so much to him. Aislyn tells him all she ever wanted him to be healthy and happy – everything else is extra. But all things end. All people die. That is the way the cycle of life works. For there to be life, there must be death. He cannot be greedy and hold onto Adeline if she is not meant to stay beyond her time. But, Ganner points out, isn’t Aislyn waiting for Colin, his father, and her husband, in the Hall of Judgment? She still retains her memories, doesn’t she? It shows she hasn’t let go yet herself. Why would she ask him to do something she herself cannot do? Aislyn smiles sadly and agrees with his observation. Attachment is the root of all suffering in the universe, the bane of contentment. Yet, without attachment, why would anyone choose to live? They might as well choose death over life. They might as well choose not to exist. Ganner leaves the dream, resolute in his determination to save Adeline’s life at any cost, to hold on when he has always had to let go in the past.   Unlike the other two, Rayden meets a woman he does not recognize at first. Like him, she carries the markings of the Imperial Lian Tribe. It is Lian Xi, Grand Princess Liyang, Rayden’s eldest half-sibling, the woman who led the defense of Das’Vengar before its fall to the Onderians. Rayden is surprised that he is not meeting Dowager Noble Consort Yuen (as Emperor, he gave her the title so he can call her that now). Liyang wryly tells him that Yuen Gui Fei has long since left the Hall of Judgment, taken the memory-fading potion, and travels now on a long journey to reincarnation/rebirth. Rayden is disappointed and a little sad to not be able to see her again, but Liyang tells him not to be. The fate of being the sole survivor when everyone else has died and gone is too terrible, as Rayden himself knows. Yuen Gui Fei suffered that fate for so many years, but now she can find peace knowing that Rayden is where he should be and who he should be. The theme of Rayden’s conversation is forgiveness – can he forgive others for what they have cost him, for what they have done to him? Can he forgive Elvira and the Onderians for keeping him as a hostage prince, forgive his mentor, Annyla, for being the one to kill his half-brother and sister (the Crown Prince and the Grand Princess Liyang) and never telling him of the fact? Can he forgive Cassander for not giving him the benefit of the doubt? Can he forgive Adeline for choosing to believe others over him? Can he forgive Anny for hating him? Can he forgive the Onderians for taking away his family and birthright, for the atrocities they committed against his people? Can he forgive them for killing Lady Yuen, for inadvertently causing the Old Lady Tylena to take her own life and creating the context for Hua Rui’s betrayal? Liyang admits that she still holds onto her memories and waits in the Hall of Judgment because she cannot yet let go of what she feels are grievances towards her family, her empire, and her people. She cannot leave until Rayden has achieved justice for the Mar’Kaa and restore Da’Lyan. But Rayden doesn’t know for certain if restoring the Empire is the right thing to do. Liyang would know better than him, but there were so many flaws with the imperial system. Siblings fight and kill each for the throne, wives betray their husband for the sake of their children while the husband attempts to hold the lofty, neutral position but always fails. And the worse thing? Tribes fighting one another, jostling always for Imperial favor. Long before Elvira and her campaign, Mar’Kaa had killed Mar’Kaa. Even now, so soon after his return, Rayden can already see the cracks in his base, the divisions in court and in the field of war, one side calling for the Queen, and the other for the Noble Consort. South and North, never on good terms, for how could they be? They don’t share the same experiences. How can they want the same things? How then would Rayden fix the situation, asks Liyang. And perhaps this is how it is always meant to be – an unavoidable fact of society. It’s not as if the other species have never killed their own kin and blood for power. Elvira herself killed her own blood. What Rayden describes is not the sole feature of Mar’Kaa society. But Rayden persists – just because others do it too, doesn’t make it right. If they can fix a problem, they should. Rayden leaves the dream, resolute in his intention to dissolve the Da’Lyan Empire and set up a different sort of society once he and Adeline have stopped the war.   Parting   The three Children leave their dreams, all deep in thought. The Child of Air bids them farewell and good luck – he, and the Allfather, hope they can change their fate in this life. If not? Then better luck in their next lives. The Child of Air transforms once again into the Green Dragon and breathes on them for fortune’s favor.   The party journey back down the mountain. Adeline and Rayden discuss the state of the war. They both want to try again to sue for peace. Adeline asks Rayden what he would need from her. He casually remarks that a kneel of apology might suffice but he knows that is unthinkable for an Onderian Queen (for any monarch anyways). Adeline promises to do everything else for the sake of peace between their two people. She cannot kneel but she is happy to come stay in the court of Das’Vengar for as long as it takes. Rayden grasps her hand and says, “thank you, and I’m sorry”. Adeline smiles in return and remarks that it should be her saying that to him. Whatever has happened since, they cannot forget who and what it was that started this – Elvira’s greed. Although their people have been at war for millennia, if not for Elvira’s greed, there could have been peace, due to the efforts of the Onderian Greater House of Tylena and the Mar’Kaa ____ Tribe. The Onderians are at fault – Adeline knows this and accepts this.   Rayden and Ganner even manage to converse shortly. Rayden jokingly asks Ganner not to kill him and Ganner gamely replies that he will consider his request very seriously. Rayden quietly pulls Ganner to his side and tells him that “last I saw him; he is doing well”. (They are discussing Ganner’s and Adeline’s youngest child who is thought to be deceased – Saagen),   Before they part, Rayden says to Tallus: “Amongst us, only you can remain by her side. I know I don’t have to tell you this but keep her well – as best as you can.”   On the way back, a very silent and deep-in-thought Ganner suddenly turns to Adeline and tells her that “she should do whatever she wants” for he will surely not let her die. Adeline just smiles and replies that she’s never doubted him – “Did you expect me to think you would just let me die? Surely, you like me more than that?” She apologizes for the difficult decade they have had (referencing the loss of Saagen) and thanks him for returning to her and their children (instead of remaining with the Humans) - she knows it must have been a difficult decision. Adeline asks Ganner not to blame himself if he is unable to keep her alive, that “he owes her nothing”, to which Ganner replies that “he owes her everything”. Although it doesn’t seem like he’s succeeded in previous lives in saving her life, he will try and try again until he does. Although he knows they will eventually find each other again in the lives to come, he doesn’t really care – those lives have not been lived yet so there is no guarantee for them there. The only guarantee is in this life, in the now. Adeline reaches to take and squeeze his hand. Tallus calls her from the front, and she goes to speak to him. When she leaves, we see that Ganner still has visions of her dying, conflating these hypotheticals with reality. He is very freaked out by them.   Crossroads   Mar’Kaa Camps   In her tent, Puyan Di talks to Puyan Minde, her vice-commander, and Puyan Lingxi. Of their Master’s (Puyan Tao, the Yellow Tiger) disciples, only the three of them are left alive. Puyan Di is the eldest and first disciple (Da Shi Jie), Minde is the third disciple (San Shi Di), and Lingxi is the seventh disciple (Qi Shi Mei). Suddenly, Puyan Jun arrives to inform them that Mar’Kaa spies have discovered that the Heir to the Onderian Throne has travelled to the Forests of Herne to get the support of the tribes there.   Everyone is then summoned by the Hua Empress who reveals the death of Rayden (the Prince of Yeling’s account). She puts the blame on Adeline and Ganner and implies that they killed Rayden. The Prince of Yeling can neither deny nor confirm this. Now that Rayden is dead, the chain of command goes to the Hua Empress, for there is no Crown Prince instated to command the armies. The Puyang generals do not agree with this. However, to everyone’s surprise, Noble Consort Jing and her Northern Faction have decided to support the Empress (it is implied that the Empress has promised Noble Consort Jing to put her child, if it is a son, on the Dragon Throne). The Puyang Army has nowhere to place themselves – they are forced to obey the Empress’s words.   Advisor Liya and the Hua Empress discuss the situation secretly. She reveals to him that Rayden is not dead – he’s just pretending to be dead so he can arrange a truce with the Onderians. Advisor Liya is shocked. How is that possible??? Didn’t the Prince of Yeling see Rayden’s death with his own eyes? It is revealed that the Hua Empress pretended to believe Yela Yuvin but from how he reported the events, she believes he is lying. After all, Yuvin is her adoptive child – what mother cannot tell when her child is lying? She convinces Advisor Liya that he must assassinated Elder Luka so that the war can continue and be ended before the Herne Tribes arrive to support the Onderians. They must also draw Rayden out.   On the Empress’ orders, the Hua Tribe and Advisor Liya sneak into the Onderian camps to assassinate Elder Luka (to account for Darkest Night). Defying his mother’s orders, Jun goes to the Forests of Herne to find Anny to stop her from getting reinforcements/ask her if her parents did kill Rayden. Puyan Lingxi, Jun’s qi shiyi, goes with him.   In the Forests of Herne   Anny and Jun come face to face. They argue about what’s happening. Anny refuses to believe her parents killed Rayden. Jun tries to convince her to not bring the Herne Tribes as reinforcements – it will only force the Mar’Kaa’s hand.   Kai’leen sees the two of them confronting each other and mistakes Jun as a Mar’Kaa assassin who is trying to kill Anny. She tries to kill Jun, who is only saved in time by Puyan Lingxi. Lingxi is wounded by Kai’leen and wounds the Kai’leen in return. Neither die but the situation worsens. Kai’leen thinks that it was the Mar’Kaa intention all along – to stop the Herne Tribes from joining up with the Onderians and if that wasn’t possible, to kill as many of them. They are then informed that the Mar’Kaa Khitan Army has attacked a bunch of Ney’shi villages. Anny is shocked and wonders if those were Jun’s intentions all along – he was distracting her while the Khitan Army destroys as many Ney’shi villages as possible.   With a wounded Puyan Lingxi in tow, Jun finds out that the Khitan Army was responsible for attacking the Ney’shi villages. General Khi Han shows up and tells the Puyan crew that they were ordered by the Hua Empress to stall the Herne Tribes for as long as they can. Jun is worried that Anny will now think he was in on it the entire time.   The attacks on Kai’leen and the Ney’shi villages force the hand of the Herne Tribes – they decide to join up with the Onderians.   Onderian Camps   Adeline, Ganner, Tallus, and their crew return to Trykan to find out that Elder Luka was assassinated by Advisor Liya of the Mar’Kaa. Hektor and the rest of the commanding generals press for vengeance or at least some kind of accounting. Adeline believes Luka’s death to be the Hua Empress’ work – she doesn’t think Advisor Liya would have done what he did if he hadn’t been manipulated to. However, the commanders wonder how she can be sure that Rayden did not order it or let it happen. She reveals what happened on the peaks of Mount Vohra and that she and Rayden have decided, once again, to press for peace. She truly believes that peace is possible and wants Foreign Affairs Department to start working on a peace treaty/plan with the Chamber.   These news shock everyone! Hektor doesn’t want Luka’s death to be in vain and calls for an accounting. He will accept the peace plan, but Advisor Liya and the Empress must pay for their assassination of Luka. Adeline doesn’t think that is something Rayden would accept. Arik is still skeptical – he doesn’t see the Mar’Kaa retreating in the cards, especially when they have an advantage. Ephedra, Etta, and Kosta also are not 100% behind the peace plan, thinking that Adeline and the Onderians will have to give in “too much” for the Mar’Kaa to agree. But Adeline doesn’t see the problem with concessions – after all, this mess was started by the Onderians, by her mother. “When we are the ones at fault, we must take a step back.”   Hektor is furious and storms out of the tent. Etta and Kosta go after him. Adeline sighs. Perhaps Arik was right, and it wasn’t the best idea to put Hektor as the Commander General of the Western Elva Army yet. Arik asks Adeline to not blame Hektor – after all, he was mentored by Luka for almost all his life. How Luka died is also not honorable. The Onderians cannot let this insult pass. He knows that Adeline wants peace, and of course, so does he. But they must remember the dignity of their people. Adeline asks, “What if the matter of right or wrong comes up against dignity? Is not what is right more important than losing face?” Arik commends Adeline for her way of thinking but reminds her that first and foremost, she is Queen of Onderon. What is right and wrong cannot be her priority – what is right and wrong for the people of Onderon should be.   Etta and Kosta try to talk to Hektor. They remind of his position and duty as Commanding General and warn him not to make any rash and hasty decisions. It looks like they got through to him and he has calmed down. However, after he leaves, he gathers his vice-generals and tells them they must seek vengeance for Elder Luka, no matter what. It is implied that his plan is to assassinate Advisor Liya.   Ganner’s mind illness has gotten worse. He cannot differentiate his dreams from reality. He sees Adeline getting killed by Rayden everywhere he goes. Only Tallus realizes what is happening.   Soon, it is revealed that Hektor and his lieutenants are missing. Arik hypothesizes that he went to murder Advisor Liya to pay back Elder Luka’s death. Adeline is panicked! If Advisor Liya dies, it might trigger Rayden’s Drowning Phase. Once the phase is triggered, it is almost impossible to control one’s actions and emotions (re: Adeline’s and Ganner’s phase triggers during the Battle of Aurain). There would be no path to peace. Adeline goes to stop Hektor from killing Advisor Liya. Once Ganner realizes where she has gone, he follows her. His dreams are getting so bad.   Mar’Kaa Camps   Rayden secretly returns but summons only the Puyan mother-and-son duo, who are shocked to find out that he is NOT dead. They tell him everything. On the news of his death, which was reported by the Prince of Yeling, the Empress took control of the Mar’Kaa armies, given that there was no Taizi (Crown Prince) to command them. She has promised Noble Consort Jing to instate her child, if it is a son, as the next Emperor. Next, the Empress manipulated Advisor Liya into secretly assassinating Elder Luka (must think of reason why). Puyan Di believes that she has convinced Advisor Liya that Rayden will only unleash his true Drowning Phase over grief – grief for Advisor Liya’s death. Rayden is shocked! Is General Puyan implying that Advisor Liya is trying to get himself killed by the Onderians for this purpose? He cannot believe it.   Jun also reveals at this moment that he has discovered that Anny has been trying and was successful at getting the Herne Tribes to make up the Onderian numbers. Once the Herne forces arrive (they have been delayed by the Khitan Army’s attacks), the Onderian and Mar’Kaa forces will be almost equal and number and thus the Onderians will have regained the advantage (for they also have powers).   Advisor Liya interrupts the party. Rayden commands the Puyang Army to stay in place and not do anything until he comes back down. The Puyan duo go down the mountain to protect the base while Rayden and Advisor Liya go up the cliff to discuss the situation as well as the Empress’ dastard plans.   Rayden is angry with Advisor Liya and his actions. Advisor Liya defends himself, stating that he wanted vengeance for Rayden’s supposed death. The Empress was right all along that Rayden was pretending to be dead the entire time. Advisor Liya scolds Rayden for caring more about Adeline and the Onderians and making plans against his own wife and Empress rather than planning to win the war. Rayden reveals the truth of the Empress’ actions. She killed her own father the year before and framed Adeline for his death. Now, she has tried to kill him so she can instate Yuvin as Emperor. Advisor Liya counters that she has promised Jing Gui Fei to instate her child, if it be a son, as Emperor. Rayden doesn’t believe the Empress will commit to such a promise – her hatred against the Yular Tribe and the other Northerners for mistreating her Hua Tribe is too strong. The Empress will probably imprison the Noble Consort on some trumped-up charge if she hasn’t already. Advisor Liya cannot believe that the Empress made to kill Rayden.   Rayden presses on. He reveals that it was the Empress’s intention to get Advisor Liya killed by the Onderians so that he would continue the war. Perhaps it is her intention for him to be killed by Adeline or vice versa. Ganner would get involved and perhaps all three of the Allfather’s children would die. Then she would be free to continue the war until there is only ash and dust left. Rayden tried his best to understand the Empress and her struggles and help her as she went. But when she killed her own father to get what she wanted… Rayden shakes his head. What is wrong is wrong, no matter what the reasoning behind such wrongness is. The Puyan Tribe also suffered as the Hua people did (though not to the same degree). They didn’t do the same terrible actions as she did – they stayed loyal to Rayden. Advisor Liya is stunned by the revelation that he was manipulated into probably getting himself killed to trigger Rayden’s Drowning Phase.   As they continue talking and arguing, we see Hektor and his small force approaching the mountain from the back. They kill a Puyang force and make their way up.   Confrontation   The Hua Empress has sent the Nantian Army, led by her cousin, General Hua Feng to kill the Puyan generals and take control of the Puyan Army for disobeying her orders.   Puyan Di tries to tell Hua Feng that Rayden is alive, and the Puyang Army is only following the emperor’s orders. However, Hua Feng doesn’t believe that Rayden is alive. He warns Puyan Di that disobeying a direct order from the Imperial commander (which in this case is the Hua Empress) is a death sentence. He won’t do anything if the Puyang Army puts their arms down and come with him.   The Puyang and Nantian armies are about to go head-to-head. The Nantian commanders don’t want this to go through for the Puyang Army has a lot of merits. But Hua Feng pushes through. He doesn’t want to kill General Puyan either but disobeying an order is disobeying an order.   While the two Mar’Kaa armies are confronting each other, Anny arrives. She sees the situation and has no idea what to do. She and Jun confront each other, and Jun tries to convince her that he was not involved in the Ney’shi village massacre. Anny knows that if she doesn’t interfere, the Puyang Army will be crushed by the Nantian Army.   Surprising everyone, she steps in between the two Mar’Kaa armies and tells the Nantian Army not to lay a hand on the Puyang Army. Hua Feng tells her to stay out of their business, “that they will get to her and the Onderians once the Mar’Kaa have sorted everything out”.   The Khitan Army arrives as back-up to the Nantian Army to arrest the Puyang traitors. Kai’leen sees them and seeks vengeance. The Herne forces start fighting the Khitan Army. Though Anny tries to stop them, she is unable to.   Chaos breaks out. The Herne Forces fight against the Khitan Army. Anny and the small Onderian force try to stop the Puyang and Nantian Armies from killing each other. Ayden and the small Rylandar Force he brought enter the fight. Ayden saves Anny. They fight against the Khitan army to protect the Herne Coalition. Anny and Puyan Jun do try to stop the fight but to no avail.   Rayden is revealed to be alive when he, Adeline, and Ganner appear fighting each other on the cliffs. This takes both the Nantian and Khitan Armies by surprise. Puyan Di tries to convince General Hua Feng once more and now, he believes her. He orders the Nantian army to put their arms down.   Kai’leen and General Khi Han come face to face. General Khi Han apologizes for the actions of his tribe, stating that they did what they had to do to protect the Mar’Kaa people. Kai’leen says she is doing the same. She kills him. However, as the General dies in her arms, Kai’leen feels a tinge of remorse. She closes the General’s eyes after he dies to show respect.   The fighting stops when the fighting on the cliff stops, and Rayden obviously dies. The Mar’Kaa lay down their arms.   The Child of Never   The Hua Empress knows that Rayden is not dead and believes she must act before he reveals that he is alive. She instates a coup and imprisons Noble Consort Jing and the Northern Faction with the help of the Yela Tribe, who betrays the Northerners. Hua Rui never planned on putting the son of the Noble Consort on the Dragon Throne. Yuvin tries to stop her, but the Hua Empress assures him not to worry. She will enthrone Yuvin as the next Lian Emperor (the Yela Tribe helped her for this reason). Yuvin worries after Noble Consort Jing’s life, but Hua Empress assures him that she won’t be too harsh. After all, the Noble Consort is carrying Rayden’s child. They will wait until the child is born. If it is a girl, it’s not a problem. If it is a boy, however… Hua Rui does not intend on letting another usurp Yuvin’s position.   The imprisoned Northerners are worried. They should have never trusted the words of the Hua Empress about putting Noble Consort Jing’s son on the throne. Now, they are doomed. Besides the Emperor (Rayden), only the Empress has the power to command the armies. If only Rayden had promoted Jing Gui Fei to Huang Gui Fei (Imperial Noble Consort) before he died. Then she would at least be able to content against the Empress, for the promotion would show Rayden’s distrust in the Empress. The Noble Consort doesn’t reply. The Hua Empress comes to visit her in imprison with Yuvin. Noble Consort Jing directs her question to Yuvin: “Is this how you treat the Lian Imperial Family who so graciously accepted you as one of their own? Has she promised to put you on the throne? How can you let your unborn sibling die?” Hua Rui tells a very sad Yuvin to leave. She and the Noble Consort have at it. Hua Rui will never let the Noble Consort and the Northerners gain power in the Imperial Court again. This is vengeance for how they treated her and her Hua tribe. The Noble Consort spits on that. She lists the names of every Yular tribesperson who was killed by the Hua Tribe. The Hua Tribe, while “working” for Lady Martia, killed so many of their own Mar’Kaa people, including Jing Gui Fei’s younger brother and cousin. They never faced any punishment for their actions. The Hua Empress retorts back that the Hua Tribe was undercover the entire time – Yuen Gui Tai Fei (Dowager Noble Consort Yuen) told them to hide themselves at all costs and not reveal themselves until it was truly necessary. The Noble Consort laughs. And so that is what the Hua Tribe claimed. That they were working for the Mar’Kaa Reborn people all the time. Yet, no one on the rebel council or board knew of this. Except for Dowager Noble Consort Yuen, who conveniently died before she could confirm this. There is only the word of Rayden that the Hua Tribe were true patriots and were undercover all the time. And look how the Hua Empress has treated Rayden! How ungrateful the Hua Tribe is?   Hua Rui is very pissed. She tells the Noble Consort that she intended to spare her to preserve her Imperial child, but now it might not be possible. With that, the Empress makes to leave. However, before she leaves, the Noble Consort warns the Empress – that for every terrible and immoral thing she has done, there will be a consequence. The Empress doesn’t know everything. For someone like the Empress who killed her own father to frame the Queen of Onderon, there will be hell to pay – she will be reincarnated as a dog. The Empress gives the Noble Consort a glare and leaves. We see Yuvin was listening onto this conversation the entire time. He is very worried. Now he has received some sort of confirmation that Adeline was not responsible for the death of Hua Lin.   Yuvin visits the Noble Consort under the guise of keeping her fed before her summary execution. She asks him if he’s willing to let his younger sibling die, if he is this power-hungry and ungrateful towards the Imperial Tribe of Lian, to his adoptive father, Rayden. Did Yuvin work with the Empress to murder Rayden? Yuvin doesn’t answer. He waits until all the other guards have left. Then he moves closer to the Noble Consort and tells her that it might be time “to show her hand”. The Noble Consort quickly realizes what he is referring to but becomes suspicious, thinking it is a trick/ploy by the Hua Empress. However, Yuvin convinces the Noble Consort to trust him (by telling her about Rayden really being alive etc.). He asks her why she hasn’t revealed Rayden’s imperial decree yet and she replies that she’s been imprisoned and everyone she trusts to obtain the document is in jail. Yuvin promises her to get the document which will save her life. The Noble Consort asks him why he is helping her and what he must gain from it. After all, the Empress truly does love Yuvin and treat him as her own. She even sacrificed the chance to have her own child for Yuvin. In reply, Yuvin asks her if the rumors are true. Did the Empress really kill her own father to frame Adeline? The Noble Consort replies that no one can know that for sure – there may be rumors but only the Empress can confirm or deny it. However, she is sure that the Empress is capable of such an act. Yuvin defends his foster mother, stating her desire to protect her tribe. He wants the Noble Consort to promise that she will not blame the Hua Tribe. Looking a little defeated, the Noble Consort sort of promises – “I can understand some of the reasons for why the Empress did what she did. However, they can’t justify her actions.”   The Gui Fei and her supporters are to be executed for treason (General Liya Heng of the Beishan Army is merely imprisoned – will not be killed. This is probably because the Empress wanted to honor Advisor Liya’s “sacrifice” and thus will not kill his clansman. General Khi Han and the Khitan Army are off fighting with the Herne Tribe. The Nantian Army and General Hua Feng have gone to attempt to arrest the Puyang generals.). Yuvin and General Sima Ang of the Second Lianmeng Army try to convince the Empress not to execute the Gui Fei but the Empress has “overwhelming proof” of treason. Yuvin takes the chance to reveal the secret Imperial decree – Rayden had promoted the Noble Consort Jing (after the incident with Hua Lin) to Imperial Noble Consort. With such power, it shows that he had trusted her and not trusted the Empress. Additionally, it gives the Imperial Noble Consort the ability to command the armies and thus to contend with the Empress.   General Sima Ang wants to examine the document to determine its veracity, but the Empress tries to cover it up though we can tell she is shocked (the timing of the secret promotion means that Rayden never believed her story about Adeline killing her father and that all along, he had suspected her of patricide). She orders Yuvin to be put under house arrest temporarily. She reveals to him that she knew he had been lying to her all along about Rayden’s supposed death. But she doesn’t care. Soon, Rayden will be killed by Adeline and Ganner (or best-case scenario, the three of them will kill each other) and Yuvin will be enthroned as Emperor. The Mar’Kaa will win the war and take vengeance on the Onderians, enslaving them in return as Lady Martia did to the Southerners.   Yuvin is so upset and hurt to hear all of this from her! Did she never love and respect Rayden? After all, he had done his best to protect the Hua Tribe. How can she want to do to the Onderians what was done to the Mar’Kaa? The Empress replies that there must be blood to pay for all the Mar’Kaa blood that had to be shed, including the blood the Hua Tribe as undercover agents were forced to shed to maintain their cover. Otherwise, everything will be in vain. Her father’s death will be in vain.   The Noble Consort interrupts them and puts a stop to the conversation. She orders General Sima to arrest the crazy Empress and reveals that the Empress was behind the assassination attempt on Rayden. Yuvin backs this information up. General Sima now believes in the veracity of the promotion decree and moves to detain the Empress. However, the Empress loses her mind and grabs his sword, moving to kill the (pregnant) Noble Consort. To save the lives of the Noble Consort and her unborn child, Yuvin accidentally kills the Empress. She dies in his arms, telling him that she was sincere towards him and loved him like her own. She asks him if he can attend to her memorial tablets and Yuvin promises her that she will. He calls her mu hou (mother empress) for the first time. The Empress dies.   On the cliffs, a dream turns into reality   Hektor and his force successfully make it up to the cliff. They spy on Advisor Liya and Rayden. They want to take the chance to kill both Mar’Kaa. While the Elva lieutenants try to convince Hektor to focus their attacks on Rayden, he’s so blinded by rage against Advisor Liya that he chooses only to attack Advisor Liya. Hektor wants to give some benefit of doubt towards Rayden. After all, he was presumed dead or at least missing when the assassination on Elder Luka occurred. Hektor and his force manage to kill Advisor Liya (bow and arrow). Advisor Liya dies in Rayden’s arms. Though he tries to stop Rayden from entering his Drowning Phase (implying Advisor Liya does now want to try for peace), it is not possible. Rayden’s grief explodes and he enters the Drowning Phase. He kills Hektor’s lieutenants and is about to kill Hektor when Adeline arrives just in the nick of time and saves Hektor’s life.   She tries to talk to Rayden into sparing Hektor (promising that he will be punished appropriately) but Rayden will not listen. He is in his Drowning phase and cannot be stopped.   Adeline tells Hektor to run. She and Rayden fight. Rayden doesn’t want to hurt her – he just wants Hektor. But as Hektor’s Queen and commanding officer, she can’t just let Hektor die to appease Rayden. They continue fighting.   Ganner also arrives. He has now been completely overtaken by his visions. He keeps seeing Rayden kill Adeline. Tallus tries to stop him but fails (obviously). Ganner then enters the fight and tries to kill Rayden.   Adeline is in a bad position. Rayden is in his Drowning Phase and cannot be stopped. Ganner’s visions are warping his sense of reality and he cannot be stopped. They are both going at each other. Ganner eventually gains the upper hand and severely wounds Rayden with a life-threatening wound. As Ganner give Rayden the killing blow, Adeline steps in the way, saving Rayden’s life but dying in the process.   Ganner’s visions clear and he is horrified to realize what he has done. He has killed Adeline. It was him all along, not Rayden, who would deliver the killing blow. Ganner screams at the Allfather who only replies that there is always a price to pay, a consequence. Ganner tries to give his life force to Adeline. However, he fails. They are about to die together in the process when a wounded Rayden successfully crawls over and gives his life force to Ganner and Adeline. We see thin golden circles appear on Adeline’s and Ganner’s wrist and Rayden sacrifices his own life force for them. Adeline and Ganner are saved.   Somewhere between life and death   Adeline wakes up in a daze. She finds herself in a place she doesn’t recognize. Everything is white and floaty. Then she sees Ganner and Rayden. She goes to them. They are in the limbo space between life and death.   We hear the booming Allfather’s voice speak to them. Another failure of a life. One Child dies at the hands of another. Adeline feels guilty for what happened and apologizes to Rayden. She wants to give up her life in exchange for his. However, Ganner will not allow that. He will give up his life in exchange for Adeline’s and Rayden’s. Rayden only smiles wryly at them and tells them it is too late. He’s already given his life force to them. Take this sacrifice and use it for however long it takes for peace between the Onderians and the Mar’Kaa to happen. Rayden leaves for the Hall of Judgment in peace.   Ganner and Adeline are left alone. The Allfather warns them that although Rayden gave up his life force/soul to save them, his life force was divided between Ganner and Adeline. If one dies, the other will soon follow. That is the price they will pay. Yet, he doubts that they think it a heavy price. Adeline and Ganner look at each other. Of course, they are both willing to pay this price.   A PATH TO PEACE   Adeline and Ganner wake up in the real world. They find themselves on joining beds in what is probably a castle in Trykan, a repeat of the ending of Book One, where they found themselves on joining beds in Trykan after the Fall of Aurain. Both are quiet for a long time. We see a thin golden circle on both of their wrists. Adeline thinks that for the two of them, this is probably the most suitable outcome. Ganner promises that they will live and die together. Though the outcome was not what either of them wanted or expected, they must be grateful, especially for Rayden’s sacrifice. He still feels badly about killing Rayden. He wants Adeline to promise that she will keep her word to Rayden and seek peace, no matter how hard it may be. Adeline smiles at him in return.   In the Onderian camps outside Trykan, Rayden’s dead body lies on a table as the Onderian generals and politicians argue over what to do with his body (it is currently preserved) and what to do with the situation. The Queen and the High Prince have been in a coma for three days with no signs of waking up. They might be dead. It is time to raise Anny as Queen and it is time for her to decide about what to do with the Mar’Kaa.   Anny and Ayden don’t want to give up on their parents. They will keep waiting. Arik wonders what to do with Rayden’s body and how to properly punish Lord Hektor. The Onderian politicians want to throw Rayden’s body in the ditch, further subjugate the Mar’Kaa, and not punish Hektor (because they don’t think he did anything wrong). Anny and Ayden are about to protest on Rayden’s behalf when Tallus enters the tent. He barks at them all to leave. The Onderian politicians and generals are about to protest, but Anny as Heir to the Throne can command them to leave Tallus alone with Rayden’s body.   Tallus looks at Rayden’s body and starts to prepare him properly. He rearranges Rayden’s clothes and does his best to scrub the body off blood, grime, and dirt. Another friend gone. I hope when you see Cassander in the Hall of Judgment, you will be forgiving as you promised you will be. As Tallus cleans Rayden’s body, we see flashbacks to their interactions and time spent in youth and adulthood.   Arik goes to see an imprisoned Hektor with Lady Etta. She leaves them alone. Arik sighs in regret. Another mistake in this war he has made. Another life lost. He knew it was a bad idea to instate Hektor as Commander General at such a young age and experience level, no matter how good a warrior he was and how beloved by Elder Luka he was. Yet, he allowed himself to be overruled. He asks Hektor if he has any regrets. Hektor doesn’t. Elder Luka died at Advisor Liya’s hands and now Advisor Liya is dead. Hektor is willing to suffer any punishment for his crimes. This entire situation has made Arik rethink his unwillingness to compromise with the Mar’Kaa.   The Onderian High Command is still arguing over what to do with the Mar’Kaa. Though Anny and Ayden keep pushing for peace and to let bygones be bygones, they keep getting trampled on. However, Adeline and Ganner reveal themselves to be alive, though both weak and still recovering. Adeline shuts everyone up and orders Arik to summon the Mar’Kaa High Command.   Imperial Noble Consort Jing, the Prime Minister Yelu Xi, and Marquis General Puyan Di arrive as the Mar’Kaa ambassadors. Adeline starts the conversation by asking General Puyan how her son is to which General Puyan replies that he is well. She asks the Huang Gui Fei how the Mar’Kaa have been treated in her and Ganner’s absence. The Imperial Noble Consort replies that the Heir to the Throne has worked hard to keep things as civil as possible. She wonders when they can get Rayden’s body back, as well as what will happen.   Adeline doesn’t reply immediately. She asks after the whereabouts of the Prince of Yeling. The Imperial Noble Consort reveals that he is preparing for the burial of his mother, the Hua Empress. Adeline surprises the Mar’Kaa by revealing that the Mar’Kaa and Onderians will go their own way. Enough is enough. It will be their generation that ends this cycle of violence and vengeance. Emperor Kangli sacrificed his life to save her and Ganner. They are indebted to him. The Onderians are shocked (they didn’t know this). If the Mar’Kaa can let go and stop fighting, the Onderians will stop fighting as well. Let bygones be bygones.   Neither side is too convinced by this. Kai’leen and the Herne people are still angry with their enslavement by the Khitan Tribe as well as how their villages were burnt down. However, Adeline replies, you have already killed the Khitan Commanding General in kind. How much more bloodshed do the people of Herne seek? Kai’leen is angry and retorts that this is how the Onderians are. They use and use the natives of Herne for their benefit but give nothing back. She and the Herne commanders storm out of the tent angrily. Anny goes after them and tries to explain things but to no avail. The Herne people feel very insulted.   On the Mar’Kaa side, the Prime Minister presses on about war reparations. Adeline can promise nothing except that they will try. The Onderian (led by Anny) and Mar’Kaa sides will go back and forth until a truce or peace treaty can be agreed upon and the conditions determined. Unfortunately, she cannot promise any more than that for she is also the Queen of Onderon and must be mindful of the position she holds, no matter how much she longs to be just Rayden’s friend. The Mar’Kaa agree upon this. The Onderian High Command is still pissed but Arik and the Chancellor of the Grand Chamber, Archon Livia Balasich also state that they agree with Adeline.   Adeline asks that the Mar’Kaa withdraw their forces and leave Onderian soil. On their side, the Onderians will not harm them or interfere with their processes. Before the Mar’Kaa party leaves, Adeline (worried about Yuvin’s safety now that the Imperial Noble Consort is in charge) once again asks after the Prince of Yeling… Will the Prince of Yeling take part in the peace talks? The Imperial Noble Consort understands what she is asking after. She reveals to Adeline that Yuvin saved her life and that of her and Rayden’s unborn child. The Prince of Yeling is still the only child of Rayden – he will have consideration and ability befitting of such a status.   The Mar’Kaa delegation asks if their Emperor’s body can be returned. Adeline, Ganner, and Tallus look at one another. Ganner states that they would like to return Rayden’s body, but he feels as the remaining Children of the Allfather as well as the recipients of Rayden’s grace, he and Adeline should be the ones to see “him go”. They want to keep Rayden’s body until the peace talks have concluded so that Ganner and Adeline can attend the funeral cremation. The Mar’Kaa are unhappy by this. Who knows how long the peace talks can last? However, Adeline convinces them by stating that the Onderians also need some form of guarantee that the Mar’Kaa will not attack them again and remain true to the efforts to make peace. She promises that she, Ganner, and Tallus will watch over Rayden’s body and preserve it well until it is time. The Mar’Kaa are welcome to also send over a group/delegation to stay with Rayden’s body. Though unhappy by this agreement, the Mar’Kaa delegation agree to abide. However, they also need some form of guarantee that the Onderians will not go back on their word.   Ayden volunteers that he “accompanies” the Mar’Kaa armies back to Da’Lyan. Basically, he is offering himself as a guarantee/hostage. The Onderians are unhappy but Ayden states that since Anny can’t go, it must be him. The issue of preserving the Lian Emperor’s body is a big deal after all. To people’s surprise, Adeline agrees. This is a big deal because it was the issue of Ayden’s kidnapping a decade ago that stopped Adeline from freeing the Mar’Kaa from Onderian occupation. The Mar’Kaa delegation leaves.   The Imperial Noble Consort and Prime Minister decide to pick Puyan Jun and the Prince of Yeling to lead the peace/reparation talks with the Onderians. On the Onderian side, Anny will lead the talks.   Adeline and Ganner prepare to send Ayden off with the Mar’Kaa. Adeline thanks her son for his sacrifice but Ayden replies that it is the right thing to do. He does not feel that he will be in danger. Adeline is called away by Arik to discuss the matter of Hektor. Ganner takes the chance to converse with his son. He asks Ayden if he found what he was looking for during his time with the Humans.   “Yes…and no” is Ayden’s answer. More than ever, he feels like a surplus in the Onderian kingdom. He couldn’t convince Royal Grandfather (aka the Old King Colin) to send troops to help the Onderians against the Mar’Kaa whereas Anny succeeded in convincing the Herne people, though it didn’t go as they expected. Ganner tells his son not to punish himself too badly. At the end of the day, everything went okay. He also didn’t expect his father to give troops so easily. Ayden replies that is his worry – “that even if he doesn’t succeed, everything will be okay.” He wants his lives and actions to mean something. At the end of the day, all he can do is be hostage or go to places Anny cannot. Ganner replies that though he himself has let go of the Rylandar succession, it does not mean that Ayden must do the same.   Though he didn’t succeed with asking Colin for help, Ganner believes that the Humans (and Colin) are ready to discuss talks again with the Onderians, especially after Ayden’s stay in Ryland City. After all, Ayden was able to bring a small troop led by Captain Kayra Astier and Clan Prince Mir Stryver of the Nordea Principality (Mir is Ayden’s contemporary). But, Ayden asks, they said they disobeyed the King’s commands to help him. Ganner doesn’t think that is true. He can see the hand of his father behind the actions of Mir and Kayra. Perhaps after the peace talks with the Mar’Kaa have concluded, Ayden can lead the talks with the Humans. Ayden feels very happy by the suggestion though he feels guilty for feeling this way, wanting more than he should. Ganner states loudly that Ayden is his son and the sole male heir that carriers the blood of the Rylandars and old Sazorrn. Though his path may not be ascendent in Onderon it doesn’t mean he cannot find another way elsewhere (i.e., with the Humans). Ambition and desire to do good are important. Perhaps Ayden can do what Ganner couldn’t. Perhaps through Ayden’s current and future actions will Ganner’s life mean something.   Ayden inquires after the gold circles on his parents’ wrist. He asks if they are truly all right. Ganner gamely replies that there is a price to pay – there always is. But this time, he and Adeline are okay paying it. In time, Ayden and Anny will also have to come to terms with it.   Arik and Adeline go see Hektor. The Onderian High Command discusses what to do with Hektor’s situation. No one can come to an agreement. Arik believes he has made too many mistakes throughout the war. He can’t let go of the fact that he feels responsible for the actions of his direct subordinates. He couldn’t control Lady Martia and the Fifth which led to the Sack of Aurain. He couldn’t control the Aerial Legion which inadvertently caused the war. Against his better judgment, he instated Hektor as the Commander General of the Western Elva Army. To save Hektor’s life for the sake of the deceased Elder Luka, Arik is willing to be discharged from his position as Supreme Commander and spend the rest of his life in isolation and reflection (basically house arrest).   Adeline argues that if Arik is responsible for the actions of his subordinates, then she is even more responsible for all are her subjects. Is he implying that she should be punished for Hektor’s actions as well? After all, it was she who pressed Arik into promoting Hektor. Arik backtracks but to his surprise, Adeline allows him to resign from his position (with Lady Ephedra of the Northern Silva Army to be interim Supreme Commander). She thanks him for his service. She knows that this is the only way he will stop blaming himself. Arik also reveals that his legs have been bothering him – he didn’t make the resignation request just for selfless reasons. Hektor’s fate will remain ambiguous for now… But he will reappear as antagonist in later stories (eight or eighteen years later).   A NEW HOPE   A month later, the Onderians are on the way to sign the peace treaty that Anny negotiated with the Mar’Kaa. Adeline is in a carriage while Ganner escorts her from his horse outside. We do not see Adeline yet. Anny, in her ceremonial dress, is waiting to escort them to the signing site. She joins them on the journey.   Anny (on her horse) talks to Adeline (still in the carriage and unseen by us). Adeline asks after Ayden and Anny replies that Ayden is doing well. He remained with the Mar’Kaa (just in case) and has really taken to the Mar’Kaa traditions. He gets along well with the Prince of Yeling apparently. Adeline commends her daughter for the speed and success in which she was able to negotiate the peace treaty and the terms with the “Fourth Puyan Boy”. Even she (and Ganner) was surprised that it only took Anny a month to get it done. Adeline makes sure her daughter and heir understands that it is Anny, of all people, who got Adeline thinking again about trying for peace. Anny replies that when there’s will, there is a way. Both she and Jun were eager to make it work. Adeline hopes for her sake that her friendship with Jun will be a less volatile and rocky one than her own friendship with Rayden. Anny tells her that they are about to arrive. Adeline gives her daughter a heads-up that she is about to do something that is a little radical. She hopes Anny will follow and support her. Anny promises that she will if Adeline’s actions are honorable. Adeline promises that this time, they are. However, she warns Anny that although Anny succeeded with flying colors with the Mar’Kaa peace treaty, she warns Anny not to expect every task she will undertake for Onderon’s sake to be as honorable and above-board. In the future, when she is Queen, Anny will have to do a lot of shifty and less-than-honorable actions to get her way.   The Onderian party arrives and are greeted by Ayden and the Mar’Kaa High Command. Everyone is on high alert until Adeline steps out of her carriage. Uncharacteristically, she is wearing a bright blue Mar’Kaa-style fabric dress. This is the first time we’ve seen her wear a color that is not white or black. The color and cut of her dress reveal the sincerity of her heart and that she is thinking of her spirit brother and friend, Rayden, Child of Water. The Mar’Kaa look a little more relaxed after this.   The peace treaty is signed very grandiosely. Each side makes a speech with hopeful words. A prayer is made towards the Allfather and the Celestials thanking them. The Mar’Kaa ask for Rayden’s body, but Adeline tells them that there is something else she wants to do. The Mar’Kaa are suspicious and misunderstand her, thinking she might try to betray them. However, she surprised them with her statements. Adeline addresses the millennia of grudges and enmity between their two people, the lives lost, and the sacrifices made. While the reason of the original feud has long been lost history, Adeline knows one thing. What her mother, Elvira the Queen of Onderon, did to the people of Mar’Kaa was unjust. What Lady Martia continued to do after Elvira’s death to the Southern Mar’Kaa people was unjust. Though she cannot turn back time and can only regret her lack of action, Adeline hopes that this peace treaty is one step towards making things right. To the shock of the Mar’Kaa, Adeline (the QUEEN OF ONDERON) gets on her knees and bows, asking for forgiveness. Never has in the history of the House of Kastus has a reigning Onderian Queen ever bowed to another corporeal being, much less a corporeal being of another race. Following their Queen, every Onderian also bows to ask for forgiveness. The Mar’Kaa are very stunned.   After the signing and bowing, Adeline and Yuvin are given a moment to catch up. (Behind Adeline and Yuvin, Anny and Jun are also having their own chat. They commit themselves to making this peace treaty work no matter what. Only then can the dead rest in peace.) Adeline asks him how he is doing and Yuvin tells her the truth. He is trying to be fine but cannot forgive himself for killing his Imperial Mother. Adeline asks him what his future will be and what the future of the Mar’Kaa will be. Yuvin replies that for now, he and Imperial Noble Consort Jing, along with Prime Minister Yelu Xi and the other commanding generals of the Mar’Kaa armies, will work together in a Mar’Kaa High Command Council to deal with the aftermath of the war. When the Imperial Noble Consort’s child is born, depending on the sex, they will decide whether they should crown a new Emperor. As the only living child of the Shengdi (Rayden), Yuvin will be made Prince Regent. “Prince Regent?” Adeline asks. “Not Emperor?” Yuvin himself doesn’t have the heart to fight to be Emperor. After all, Huang Gui Fei’s child is the last living true blood of Rayden, be it a boy or a girl. Adeline remarks that though Yuvin was not born of Rayden and Hua Rui, they still loved and treated him like he was their own. She hopes he never forgets that. She also hopes that he never forgets her. If he ever needs her, please come to (what’s left of) Aurain, and find her. Yuvin remarks that it will be very difficult for the Prince Regent of Reborn Da’Lyan to come and go through Onderian lands as he pleases, much less the capitol of the kingdom. Surprising Yuvin, Adeline asks her daughter to give him a special badge. The special badge essentially names Yuvin as Adeline’s adoptive son (Honorary Prince) and grants him safe and free passage through Onderian lands. Yuvin is shocked but accepts the gift.   Ayden and Ganner discuss Ayden’s time as a hostage and his next plans. Ayden intends to go to Ryland after the reconstruction period is over. Now that the treaty between the Onderians and the Mar’Kaa has been made, he hopes to reinitiate talks between the Onderians and Humans and resolve this old/new enmity.   It is time for Rayden’s funeral. In view of the setting sun, Tallus carries Rayden’s body into the sea (the peace treaty is taking place on a beach/shore), allowing the salt waters to carry him forward. As the Onderians and the Mar’Kaa watch the Rayden’s body slowly edge further and further away from the shore banks, we see the Child of Air arrive. He briefly greets his two surviving siblings (Adeline and Ganner) and then goes into the sea to take Rayden’s body away into the afterlife. Adeline and Ganner hold hands.   EPILOGUE   Two years later   In the Bay of Kaling (Port of Monglar), Anny has finished a quick meeting with Ceferyn (she’s asking for the whereabouts of Talin who has gone missing). He asks if she plans to leave for Aurain, but she smiles and shakes her head, saying she is meeting someone else. Ceferyn smiles slyly, implying he knows who she’s meeting. “A new beginning… a new hope.”   Anny arrives to meet Puyan Jun at some seaside café. She is surprised to find that he is not alone. Who is the guest? Puyan Jun’s newborn daughter, whom he has named Puyan Ni. “We call her A'Ni.” Anny takes her namesake in her arms and says, “Hello, A’Ni. Gugu is so happy to meet you, finally."