Page 145 of The Stolen Kingdom

Staring now at the flooded ground, Maris sighed as her grip on the trident tightened just as Valda redirected the rain towards the soldiers. They winced, stopping their movements to cover their eyes, to shield them from the wind and pouring rain.

This was it. Taking a deep breath, Maris gathered the flooding water, holding on to it, creating a large wall between herself and the soldiers. The more it rained, the more she gathered, drying up the soil at her feet.

With a feral cry, Maris sent the water swelling forth like a tidal wave. Water crashed into the soldiers brutally as they floundered, their screams and cries swallowed by the wave. Next to her, Valda yelled, using the wind to push the wave in harder against the soldiers.

One by one, the soldiers fell before Maris, their bodies battered and broken by the unyielding tide. As the last enemy crumpled to the ground, Maris stood amidst the courtyard, her chest heaving with exhaustion.

Her grip on the trident wavered, her knees buckling underneath her, but just as she was about to collapse, she felt the warmth and familiarity of Valda’s arms around her.

How was Kenna able to wield such power without feeling drained was beyond Maris.

“I got you, Seashell,” Valda whispered, falling on her knees as well.

To her surprise and slight amusement, Cerberus pressed against her. Maris released a breathy laugh before looking up at Valda’s disheveled state. The fight behind her continued on, but now they would go through the courtyard and into the chamber’s wings.

Maris needed a breather, though. Her arms and legs felt heavy and pressure built up on her head. Darkness seemed to creep at Maris, and she willed it away by shaking her head.

Suddenly, Cerberus hissed as she stood in front of Valda and Maris, her yellow eyes glued to something at the far end of the courtyard. Another explosion shook the castle and with it a side of it collapsed.

Valda’s breath hitched, and Maris closed her eyes in a silent prayer for both Poseidon and Asclepius. Her mate’s grip on her grew taut, and the sullen fear of the fall of Oberon Castle filtered from Valda’s chest to Maris’s.

“Valda—”

“It’s alright,” she said quickly , holding her close enough to press trembling lips to Maris’s temple. “It’s alright. It’s just a structure.” She swallowed hard, before grabbing Maris’s trident. “We have to find him.”

The sudden clanging of metal made both Maris and Valda freeze in place. As Maris turned to the entrance of the wing leading to the chambers, a group of soldiers marched in.

Maris grabbed hold of Valda’s blouse, pulling her up for support as her mind broke.

This was it? Turning behind her, she watched the battle unfolding. Her men and Valda’s and Vulcanians were falling under Arwin’s men. One by one, she saw them fall.

And yet…

Maris turned to Valda, whose gaze was glued to the men marching out, wearing the Skylian uniform, looking at her as if she was the one to blame for all their misfortune.

Everything in her body and mind screamed at her to retreat, but Valda’s grip on her was solid. They weren’t going anywhere.

Cursing under her breath, Valda settled Maris gently on the ground. She handed her the trident and pulled out the Heaven Sword. As the enemy soldiers pulled their weapons as well, another bomb went off. Screams filled the inside of the castle as another battle raged on.

“Come on, youfuckingtraitors!“ Valda screamed, slamming her fist on her chest. “Welcome death by your queen’s hand. Yourrealqueen!”

And still they didn’t attack. Ever so slowly, they surrounded them. Their sneers made Maris’s stomach turn. She clutched the trident, using it for support as she stood up.

“Come on!” Valda barked, her stance widening, but Maris could see it in her face. She wasn't going to use her powers.

Gods, this was a mistake…

Suddenly, the soldier’s smirks turned into down-turned frowns. Their arrogant expressions were erased by one of dread, even sadness.

Maris clutched at Valda, but her mate was focused on the surrounding enemy while Cerberus hid behind their legs.

Looking down at their blades, many of them began to sob uncontrollably, until one of the many men took his own blade and turned it to himself. The soldiers gasped as the man fell. Another slashed his own throat, then another, and another.

Maris stared in apprehension and confusion as one by one, they fell victims to self-inflicted wounds. Her chest tightened at the scene as blood was diluted with water around them. Taking a step back, the tightness in Maris’s chest grew until only one person stood among the sea of corpses.

Her eyes went to the red hair on top of the man’s head, and a breath of relief escaped not only her but Valda as well. She recognized him just as his body gave out from the strenuous use of his godly powers.

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