Chapter 25: THE PROPHECY UNFOLDS

Kael pov

\-"You must kill her. If you don't kill her, what will befall you is inevitable… until she's dead”-

Miera's voice resounds in my mind as I see Zara chatting with Emily.

Could Miera be telling the truth? I sensed some malicious intent in her voice, but what reason does she have to be jealous? Could she have known what happened between me and Zara? No, nobody knows!

People say prophecies are given to be careful of what will happen in the future and try to prevent it.

I have been betrayed, stripped of my position, and banished without a prophecy… I wasn't aware such would happen to me; I would have tried to prevent it, and now I have known this. Does history want to repeat itself? No! I won't let that happen.

The gods have favored me and have revealed to me what is to come. A bit of doubt wanted to come to my mind, but I waved it off. I have no reason to doubt. Miera has never given a fake prophecy before, why would she give one now?

—

I stood at the edge of the camp, my eyes lit on the horizon. My mind was a jumble of thoughts: Miera's prophecy, My Father's words, and the forthcoming war. They all echo in my mind like a curse.

Just as I was starting to get lost in my thoughts, A shadow walked to me from the side, a figure looking so familiar. I saw it from the side of my eye, It was Arin.

"Kael,” his voice broke the silence. “We have to talk”

I flashed my gaze at him, anxiety flushed through his expression. But I ignored him.

“We don't have anything to talk about,” I replied coldly, turning my gaze away.

He took a step forward curiously “Kael, it's been a week since we came here, no words from you, nothing…” he started,

Like the words have been choked up on him for a long, “I mean, your people have been training continuously, day and night, but mine is out there.” He rubbed his face in frustration. His hands are on his waist.

“They don't even know what to expect.” he paused for a while, waiting for my reaction.

My expression remains pale. I wasn't ready for him right now. I knew he was just ranting because he hadn't seen how the Eastern Coast fights. To me, his warriors were a minus because they were never a match for Eastern Coast warriors. Not even mine… Only Zara is a match for all warriors.

“C'mon, Kael, you have to remember that I'm a king! And I…”

“A king without a kingdom… What is he?” I cut him... “You should be happy I spared your life, and I'm giving you a chance to fight with me!! You are just as blind as your subjects”

“When do we attack the Eastern Coast?” He asks, trying hard to ignore my derogatory words. His face was bold, but I could see a feeling of being Defeated masked by a bold face.

“When do we move out?" his eyes gleamed with a mixture of curiosity and frustration.

I turned to him, my expression cold and unyielding. I didn't have time for his questions, not when my fate was hanging in the balance.

"You'll move out when I say you will, ‘Your Majesty,’" I spat, my voice dripping with venom. "And as for seeing your people, forget it. You're a hostage, a bargaining chip. You'll do what I say when I say it."

King Arin's boldface fell a bit, his eyes clouding over with sadness and fear. But I didn't care. I was too consumed by my doubts and fears.

‘Don't think for a moment that you're still a king, Arin,’ I thought, my mind sneering at him. You're nothing but a prisoner, a relic of a kingdom that no longer exists.

King Arin's eyes flashed with anger, but he said nothing. He knew better than to cross me, not when I was in this mood.

I turned away, dismissing him from my mind. I had more important things to worry about... like Miera's prophecy and the fate that awaited me.

And Zara. Always Zara.

I couldn't shake off the feeling that my fate was tied to hers, that our destinies were intertwined in ways I couldn't understand.

But Miera's words echoed in my mind, a constant reminder of the danger that Zara posed.

I'll have to be careful, I thought, “Hi, Kael,” The voice startled me, and I knew it wasn't Arin. He has left, and his voice is not this cute.

“I'm sorry, I didn't mean to startle you.” It was Zara.

“Oh, I'm fine, I wasn't startled at all,” I lied with a smile.

Zara was standing before me, her face radiating like the sunrise, her smiles melting my soul. How did I start to feel such things for Zara? How come I haven't seen this part of Zara since? Could I fake love for this girl?

“Oh fuck” I muttered to myself, realizing I'd been lost staring at her.

“I'm sorry you said?”

Oh shit, she heard me. “Uhm, nothing!” I said, my body shivering in composure.

“So what do you say about it?” she asked, her eyes beaming in anticipation.

Wait what! Did she say something? Oh God, what did she say? Have I been too lost in her eyes not to know what she said? No! I must not let her know how crazy she's driving me.

“Uhhhh… youuu meeean about theee…” I stammered, pretending to be recalling.

“The Brindlemark couple.” She reminded me.

‘What did she say about them, and what answer do I give her.’ I shrugged myself, trying to mask my thoughts and feelings in a bold mask.

I couldn't imagine how the mighty Kael! A whole Kael is shivering like a kid for a lady… A mere lady.

Her eyes pierced into mine, demanding answers. “Is it a Yes or No?”

I could sense my awkward behavior was gradually becoming obvious to her, and the way Emily stared from a distance, it was as if she was waiting for Zara.

“Of course, Yes!!” I said affirmatively. I didn't know what I answered yes for, but I knew I had to push her away politely to prevent this rising tension in me.

‘What could my ‘Yes’ probably course?’ I muttered to myself, What have I approved ignorantly?

I get the feeling I am about to make a great mistake in approving whatever I just approved, but I'm yet to figure it out.

As Zara leaves, I watch her hand cling to Emily's, and they both make their way to a place I have forbidden everyone from going.

No! No, this shouldn't be!

No, This is not possible!!

No! Not Emily.