'Suarus...Suarus...'

A voice breathed her name in the darkness, a dot of light flickering from afar.

Blindly, she paddled through the shallow water; hands stretched in front of her, cold body seeking the warmth.

'Suarus...' it echoed.

Desire burned in her, soul anxious for her caller.

'Suarus...' it whispered against her ears.

She wanted it more than anything in the world. Rushed footsteps splashed towards it, stopped by the sinister feeling that suddenly tugged at her heart, crawling up her spine, fear sinking in, illusion fading.

The air around her changed, the gush of numbing coldness blowing, water frosting around her ankles.

'Suarus...' it growled.

Suarus's breathing intensified, stifled by the dot's expansion, its blinding light hungrily rushing to meet her.

She stole a gasp before the deluge of absolute white crashed upon her, submerging her under its enormous force, its colliding waves glowing green, towering over her. She felt it slithering over her skin, its pressure tightening around her—a living entity, dragging her deeper into the abyss.

Suarus's lunges expanded with the urgent gasp for air, her eyes forcefully opening, heat radiating from her drenched body. Without consent, she cried, a deep sense of loss clenching her ribs. It was not her death that she had just experienced, but the end of everything living. Her trembling hands traveled to her mouth, muffling her sobs.

'Time is key, and time we mustn't waste.'

Desserious's words rang in her head, its urgency intensified by the power she sensed, fearful visions confirming it. There was no doubt, The Gaxmanisus has awakened, and it's time that stands between it and the destruction of humankind. She had to act fast, but how in her current state. She lamented her existence, for she was not the savior her grandfather thought her to be. Without her magic, she was a speck of nothingness, helpless and weak.

The charcoaled log crumbled next to her, and her surroundings gradually came into focus.

An orange hue coated the living room she lay in. Sunlight filtered through its burgundy closed curtains. She sat upright, hand brushing against the grey wool blanket crumpled over her lap, her eyes studying the chair to her side where a multi-colored knitted blanket was placed.

Someone has spent the night there watching over her, but who?

The redhead popped into her mind, the sequence of events leading to meeting her meeting remembered.

Was this her home? Did she bring her here?

The sharp crack on the wooden floor caused her to flinch, her head turning at its source. To her surprise, a little girl peeked from the dark archway, long brown braids dangling, her chestnut eyes wide and curious.

'Are you better?' she asked.

Suarus nodded, a faint smile arching her pale lips.

A voice from behind crescendoed approaching,
'Have she awoken, Lulus?' said Ispharus standing behind the girl, resting a hand over her shoulder.

Suarus awkwardly stared, not recognizing the lady across from her.

'I am Ispharus, and this is my granddaughter Lulus. I found you collapsed at our doorstep last night.'

Suarus furrowed. All she remembered was the redhead who saved her, aiding her escape, guiding her through the city under the downpour, then...nothing.

'The redhead?' Suarus mumbled, asking, voice hoarse.

Lulus looked up, her lips parting, a spark of a question shining in her eyes, before Ispharus's squeezing grip forced her to silence.

'I haven't seen any redheads. It was only you at the door—' Ispharus replied confidently, walking towards her, placing her palm over her forehead, 'It was good that fate brought you to me because the fever you came with could've killed you if untreated. A few drops from The Anaka Potion did the trick.' she smiled.

'I owe you my life, to you and the redhead—' Suarus lowered her head, 'I wish I could've thanked her.'

'We were meant to aid one another.'  said Ispharus softly, looking at where Suaurs' legs stretched under the blanket, 'Do you think you could stand?'

'I think so.'

Ispharus lent her a hand on which she tightly gripped, pulling herself up.

Blood rushed to her head, specks of light popping around her. Her ears buzzed as the sheen blanket of sweat coated her yellowish face, body swaying.

'I have you! Sit, you're not ready.'

Quivering, she sat, eyes tightly shut, panting.

'You are weak. When was the last meal you ate?'

Her last meal was two days ago, shared with Tirus before leaving the palace.

Tirus...

'You need to eat to get your strength back; I'll fetch you breakfast.' said Ispharus dashing through the hallway, passing her worried granddaughter who stood there, pinned to the ground.

'Lulus, come, I need you!'

Lulus took a long glance at Suarus before stomping to her grandmother.

Sooner than expected, Ispharus returned, a circular wooden tray in hand. She kneeled, laying it on the ground between the heath and Suarus before standing up again. She walked to the window, spreading its curtains apart, allowing the soft sunlight to fill the room.

Lulus marched in, little steps, one after the other, large steaming cup in her hands. With utmost care, she placed it between the breadbasket and the platter of poached eggs, returning to where she previously stood.

Ispharus kneeled back next to Suarus, her hand gently brushing her back,

'You'll feel better once you eat.'

Suarus fearfully opened her eyes. Tension in her muscles loosened, relief washing over her as her vision cleared. Her stomach growled loud in the stillness of the space as soon as the bread aroma hit her nostrils. A rush of heat tingled her ears, flushing her cheeks. 

'You'll find honey and butter in the two glazed jars. Make sure you eat some.'

Suarus shyly nodded, licking her lips, her watering mouth eager for a bite, realizing just now how hungry she was.

Ispharus rose. She walked to her granddaughter, patted her as she muttered, 'Follow me, sweetie, I need you in the kitchen.'

With the fading sound of their footsteps, Suarus's hand rushed for the cup, inhaling its herbal scent for a moment before avidly drinking, savoring the creamy texture of the milk in her mouth.

Not yet quenched, she detached her lips from the cup, lowering it down, peeking in —a little above one forth, enough to enjoy it once more.

Her fingers dug into the bread, ripping out a piece, poking the eggs with it, scooping the golden yolk oozing onto the white plate before stuffing it into her mouth, delightfully chewing. The unique smoky taste of it filled her mouth,  saltiness and spices perfectly balanced.

Without noticing, the eggs were devoured, its plate wiped clean.

Would the butter and honey taste deliciously different as well? She wondered, lifting the lids of both jars, plating a spoonful of honey, and another of butter, smearing both on the bread, eating it. The sweetness of honey and the richness of butter compared to nothing she had ever tasted.

Finally, to top it all, she drank what remained of the milk, draining the cup empty, marveling at how quickly her strength returned shortly after the meal.

Gazing down at the emptied tray in front of her, gulping the lump forming in her throat, nails digging into the palms of her fisted hands, tears welling in her eyes, she reminded herself of the cause. The sacrifices made in its name, old and new, and the inevitable doom that awaited if she missed this chance, the only chance the world had to set things right once again.

'Time is key, and time we mustn't waste.'

***

'Have you arranged everything?' asked the king, leaning back atop of the malachite throne, forefinger tapping on its gold embellished arms.

'Yes, Your Majesty. I have sent the royal carriages and servants to the summer house at Rosdin as ordered. Then, spread the word that Her Highness, Princess Suarus has traveled there as recommended by the royal physician, recovering from a sudden illness, and will not be back to the capital for a few months until she recovers.' replied Mingus, bowing at the foot of the throne.

Homokirus nodded, gaze fixed at the clear blue sky visible through the floor touching oval windows.

'Very well, Mingus...you are dismissed. Postpone all audiences of today; I do not wish to see anyone.'

'As you please, Your Majesty, but His Excellency, Prime Minister Ranxinus, is waiting outside; he says it's an urgent matter. Would you like meeting him before ending today's audiences, or shall I postpone his meeting for tomorrow?'

The king sharply inhaled, fidgeting in his seat, clearing his throat.

'Let him in.'

Mingus dipped his head, footsteps echoing against the marble floor, walking to the ceiling-high, gold plated double door, glimmering as it opened for him. Soon after, Ranxinus marched into the throne room, his cape of blue floating behind him above the ground, bowing once at the king's presence.

'Your Majesty, I apologize to have insisted on this audience, but I can not delay the matter any further.'

'What is it you wanted to speak of, Ranxinus?'

'The Dunvakan Council have sent a word, a mutiny is brewing, and it is going to spark a fire unstoppable through the kingdom. They requested to have Prince Lanesirus's assigning ceremony soon as it will put an end to the whispers for once and for all.'

'A ruler they will have. Inform the council that the ceremony will be held tomorrow. They'd have their ruler at their palace before the sunset of the next day.'

'Yes, Your Majesty.'

'Inform Lanesirus to get ready. It is now that he has to prove to the realm his strength and worthiness of the throne.'