The Island With No Parallel

The Dead Queen's Request (part 1)

Everyone in the room jumped as the transparent image of Cadri faded into existence.

"A ghost?" Shiran questioned, an odd mixture of fear and curiosity lighting in his eyes behind his glasses.

Cadri didn't pay him him any mind, her eyes full of urgency. "We're out of time. The Aracs have progressed much faster than we anticipated. They now have all three keys to unlock the Dark Lords."

Dread slid down Yunara's throat and pooled in her gut. "Already?" she said unbelievingly, her hands shaking at her saids.

"They acquired two of them in one night. Even as we speak, I'm on my way to the Island with Lord Stretton and... Renen."

Yunara saw something flash in the princess' eyes momentarily when she mentioned her brother; a look of pain. Something was wrong. As Yunara noticed her composure, she realized that there were bags under Cadri's sunken eyes. Her curly hair was dirty and unkept, her fingernails full of grime. It pained her to see Cadri so unwell. She clenched her shaking fists at her sides, the fear that was crawling into her heart turning into something else. A hunger for all of these games to finally end. All of the Chosen were together. Once they had the Ancient Weapons, they could finally restore Cadri to her rightful place on the throne and take her out of the hands of the Aracs that held her.

But them her heart fell, shattered to pieces at Cadri's next words. "I don't think you'll reach the Island With No Parallel in time. You still have to get the Ancient Weapons from where Manuel's parents hid them and get started sailing for the Island. I didn't realize my uncle was using Nexa and Pitrious to take them there so quickly. If I'm right, we'll be at the Island within two weeks' time."

"But Princess," Manuel objected. "We just have to consult the right Inamu to obtain the Weapons, or so we're told. And Shi'ran is skilled in gaining their audience. We don't need to jump to such hasty conclusions."

"You don't understand. The Island is on the other side of the world. I knew the Aracs were using Nexa and Pitrious to guide them, but I had no idea they could use their abilities to quicken their journey so much. But I overheard them talking.. They estimate we'll be there in a fortnight."

"Do you know where the Island is?" Yunara asked, her voice trembling, but refusing to give up. She would not accept this.

"It's on Earth. I don't know how familiar you are with Earth geography, but it's an Island just below America called Burmuda. It would take a typical bark months to make the voyage. Manuel knows I speak the truth."

Yunara was familiar with the Americas, but didn't know where they were. When she looked at Manuel, she found him nodding his head grimly in response. She shook her head. "No! There has to be a way."

"There is." The look Cadri had in her eyes told her everything. But she said it anyway, no matter how much Yunara's eyes begged her not to. "It's the reason why they have to think I'm Chosen and not you. When they try to use me for their sacrifice, they will, of course, find that the offering will not work. Even better, it will cause them and their Dark escorts to turn against each other in confusion. That should buy you enough time. By the time they regroup, you'll have already reached the Island. But for all of this to work, Yunara, I must die."

Some part of Yunara suspected that this was the princess' plan, but in the midst of all of the constant running and fighting for their lives, she was able to suppress it–even hope against it in the smallest chance there was another way. But now she had to face the fact Cadri never assumed she would survive her selfless mission. Her sacrifice would be ultimate. The reality of that made her knees nearly buckle under her, her lips suddenly chapped and dry. Tears brimmed her eyes and she squeezed them close. Why did such a young girl have to make such adult decisions? Why was it that even as she faced her own demise, Cadri still held that same determined, undefeated fire in her eyes? That same regal posture in her spine? It was a type of courage that could never be taught. It was a part of one's being that came naturally, and yet was hard to do, at the same time. Why did the poor girl have to bear so much all by herself?

When Yunara opened her eyes, hot tears spilling down her cheeks, she found that Cadri's image was standing directly in front of her.

"Yunara, I knew that this would probably be my outcome from the start. I'm willing to do what is necessary."

"But it isn't fair," she choked out. "You had such a promising future ahead of you. I always hoped you would have the youth I never could. That you would never have to see the hardship that I have. That you could one day be an example to your nation as your parents did. It's not fair that you have to have all of that taken away from you like this! After all of the kindness you've always shown me, after you'd taught me that people could be treated with respect regardless of their class or position in society!" she paused, searing in her mind this image of Cadri, for fear it would be her last. "You are my best friend."

"And you are mine." Cadri wiped at tears that began to slide down her translucent face. "No. You are a sister to me, and you've always looked after my well-being like an elder sibling. And I thank you for that. But I have to play my role in order for this all to work, and you must play yours. But I have one more favor to ask of you."

Yunara shook her head, unable to control the choking sobs that trembled through her body. It was all too final too soon.

"Please, it is my last request."

An arm wrapped around her shoulders and pulled her into a broad chest. She was embraced by the warm smell of pine trees, mingled with the light smell of incense from the bar as Manuel's arm stroked her back tenderly. He didn't say anything. She didn't need him to. It was enough to have his presence there to anchor her.

After a few steadying breaths, she pulled away from him and nodded to him in thanks, wiping at her eyes and straightening her back. She would be strong for Cadri. "Yes, princess."

"I still have loyal people that are willing to help me reclaim the throne should I return. They are allies of Aznia's group. I contact them as much as I can in the same way I do you with this ring." she held out her hand for Yunara to see, a simple silver band on her index finger, though now it was the dull color of gray from lack of care. "They don't know about the... change of circumstances. I will inform them if I get the opportunity. It was hard enough to wait until my captors to fall asleep to contact you as it is. I'm now under constant surveillance. If I can't get in contact with them you'll have to deliver the news for me. And Yunara, when I'm gone, it will be the last of my family's bloodline. Should all go well, my uncle will be imprisoned for his crimes. My brother... will be handled as well, I suppose. There will be no one left of my family to take the throne. By law, a member f the royal courts will be selected based on rank. Which is why I'm making you an official royal courtier. I want you to take my place. You're the only one I can trust to do it. Please don't turn me down, Yunara."

Yunara couldn't speak. She couldn't breath. Cadri wasn't asking what she thought she was asking, was she?

"My companion, Roraina will come with you to prove the veracity of your words when you return to Ecencia. You are to tell them that you are a courtier of the highest order. Do not shy from your title because I am giving it to you myself as the rightful Queen of Ecencia. I know you might not accept what I'm asking if I say it any other way, so you can consider it an order to become Queen in my stead. I, the true Queen of Ecencia, Cadri of Silcrest, do make it my first and final decree."

As Yunara felt as though her very heart was standing still, Cadri went on, addressing all of them now.

"You are in a race, my faithful companions. You are now all together, all five of the Chosen. You have to acquire the Ancient Weapons and reach the Island With No Parallel before the Aracs are able to regroup and find you. Because once they discover the trick, they will come for you and try to capture you to bring you to the Island. As they believe their plans are going well, they won't pursue you as vigorously now. All of the Aracs are focusing their efforts in preparing for the release of the Dark Lords. Use that to your advantage. I believe in you." Her eyes fell on Yunara, and she smiled. "I really do."

Cadri turned, like something beyond them caught her attention. She returned her gaze to them. "I have to go now. My captors are waking up. Goodbye."

With that, Cadri disappeared.