~Chapter 7- Heir to the Goddess~

Dama awoke in a soft bed near an open window in a wooden room. She felt a little delirious. She had been given an abundance of potions for pain. She went to rub her eyes, but her hand didn't come. When she looked at her right arm, all she saw was a nub that was bandaged at the end.

"Oh good, you're awake," The unmistakable voice of Modi said.

Dama turned and saw Modi with Therma, Razan, and Lucar. She looked around the room she found herself in; it didn't look familiar.

"Where am I?"

"Dialtown. The mayor's residence in fact. How're you feeling?" Modi asked.

"I'm fine," Dama sat up in bed, "What happened?"

Modi shook her head, "We lost... everyone retreated to Dialtown. The Water Deity is dead."

Dama froze. With Tortus gone, the Sky Deity was the only one left. "Is Ool okay?"

"He's alright. He seemed... shaken, but alright," Therma said, "He's overseeing preparations. It looks like we'll make our stand here. I told him about King Zantii and that sword he uses, and he seems to have a plan to stop him."

Dama nodded, swung her legs off the bed, and tried to stand. But she felt herself start to fall over, and Modi and Therma rushed to support her.

"Easy there, sis," Modi said.

Razan leaned back against a wall and folded his arms, "With your arm gone, there's no way you're going to be able to fight-"

Through sheer determination, Dama stood tall. "Even with one arm, I'm still one of the strongest people in the world."

Razan raised his eyebrow at her, "True. But there are warriors among their ranks that are even stronger than us. I fought a Regenek woman that nearly killed me."

"Regenek?"

"Those reptilian looking people. They're called Regenek. We'll need help."

Therma spoke up, "Amethi and Theo are coming soon."

Lucar shook his head, "We were thinking of Vos and Diva, our friends you put in jail. They lived in the Lands of Ranuulo for years and will have a better idea of what's coming."

"They lived in the Lands of Ranuulo?" Dama asked.

"Yes. Technically, we did for a little while too. Regardless, we want those two on our side. As much as I hate to admit it, they're stronger than any of us."

Dama thought for a moment. She didn't like the idea of giving those two a free pass, but in their current predicament, she didn't think she had much of a choice. Two of three deities of this world were dead, and she had a feeling they'd be going after the Sky Deity next.

"...It's a good idea," Dama admitted, "What did the Sky Deity have in mind Therma? You said he had a plan."

"He mentioned something about a girl named Corri."

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Corri and her friends traveled to Dialtown among hundreds of others. The city was the largest in the Lands of Ralosia. There were hundreds of homes built by carpenters upon cobblestone streets. Beautiful plazas for people to do sale. Churches and statues dedicated to the Goddess. Emil and Modi had even formed a successful bakery shop within the city.

The city was surrounded by wooden scaffolding with four entrance and exit points in each of the cardinal directions.

But the normally bustling town was in chaos. Word had spread of King Zantii's army and the people in the city had begun to evacuate. The only ones who stayed were those prepared to fight.

The Fighting Academy's students were both terrified and angry after hearing their headmistress Dama - the one known as the strongest of all Ralosians, had been dismembered by the enemy. The Water Deity might've allowed them to escape, but it was at the cost of his own life. They'd already lost so much.

Those willing to fight gathered in the plaza of the city, where the Sky Deity Ool directed them.

Ool's voice boomed over the rustle of people in the city, "Corri! I must speak with you. Meet me near the mayor's abode."

The Sky Deity took to the air and flew over the city. Eyes were on Corri, and she reluctantly walked in the direction that Ool had flown. As she walked the streets of the nearly abandoned city, she felt incredibly shameful.

It's all my fault that this happened... all my fault.

Corri walked to an ornate building where Ool was waiting. Beside him stood her father Razan, as well as Therma, Modi, Lucar, and the one-armed Dama.

"Thank you for coming," Ool cordially said to Corri.

Corri nervously nodded and stopped short of everyone, "So, what did you call me here for?"

Ool began, "We need your help, young one. Among the ranks of the enemy is Zantii, one capable of holding a legendary weapon, Ranuulo's sword. Dama and Therma have reported him as being immensely powerful without the sword, but with it, he may be nigh unstoppable. I don't believe that even I could defeat him. But you may be able to."

Corri listened carefully and lifted the golden gauntlets she wore, "...It's because of these, isn't it?"

Ool nodded, "Yes. You are an heir to the Goddess and can wield her gauntlets. It's the only thing that can match Ranuulo's sword. If you strike down Zantii, we may be able to handle the rest of his army ourselves. Please, lend us your strength, heir to Ralosia."

Corri was reasonably overwhelmed. A girl of a mere fourteen years being told everyone's fate was in her hands. When she faced Zantii before, she was nearly killed, even with the gauntlets. When she thought of fighting him again, her body began to shake.

"Wouldn't it be better if one of you used the gauntlets?" Corri gestured to her father and those with him. They were some of the world's strongest warriors. Certainly, they'd fare better than her.

"None of them are capable of doing so. I know this may be frightening, but we need you," Ool urged her.

Everyone's eyes were on her, waiting for a response. A confirmation that she would indeed save them all. But fear kept her from speaking.

Her father spoke up, "This is a lot for her to take in, isn't it? She and I should take a quick walk to think things over. Is that alright?"

Ool looked down at Razan with a muddled expression on his face, "I suppose."

Razan walked past her, and gestured her to follow. Corri didn't want to talk with her dad, but she appreciated a moment to think, so she went with him.

The two walked the streets, at first completely silent. Corri thought about which feeling was stronger - her courage or her fear? She was terrified to fight that man again but knew what was at stake.

"How've you been, sweetheart?" Razan broke the silence between them awkwardly.

"I don't want to talk," Corri said, "I just need some air."

Razan shrugged, "Alright, alright. Whatever you want."

They continued through the abandoned streets of Dialtown, and Corri remembered Hopper. Her dad should've been watching him.

Corri asked, "Where's Hopper? Aero's going to be mad if you lost him."

"He's at Lupine Lake. Far away from the fighting. I can't imagine he was happy about me leaving him, but he'll be fine. The people there like him," Razan explained.

"It's what you're good at. Leaving people behind," Corri said coldly, not even looking at him. She was still angry that he ditched her for years without an explanation. She was sure he thought it was for the best, but he was wrong.

Razan was quiet for a moment. He sighed and said, "You know... you could run."

Corri turned to her father, "What?"

"You don't have to stay and fight. You're just a kid. Those people are expecting more than they should out of you. You could jump on your bird, fly off, and be safe."

"I can't do that! Everyone is counting on me! I'm not going to leave them behind. I have to stay and fight!"

Razan began to smirk, "Had a feeling you'd say that."

Corri looked at her father with a curious look... Did he know she'd have that reaction? That the offering to run would only strengthen her resolve. Corri didn't need any more time to think. She would fight.

Before the end of the day, Amethi and Theo came with reinforcements, including Diva, Vos, and many other powerful individuals who were being held in the prisons. Warriors from across the Lands of Ralosia came together to defend their home from the invaders.

But as Corri looked out at the plains to the south of them, she knew it was only a matter of time before King Zantii arrived. They had to be ready.