Queen of Darkness WATTPAD VERSION [Inter-Universal Protectors: Book 3]

63

Xix slammed her fist into the nearest wall. "Stupid!" Again. "Stupid!" Again. "Stupid!" Once more. She slid to the floor, speaking between sobs. "Why do I have to be so fucking stupid? It's a pointless fear. Utterly pointless!" 

"Stupid and pointless is being rather harsh, don't you think?"

She spun. The pregnant woman from outside was standing behind her. "Carmin?"

"That's right." She lowered herself to a seat. "Hope you don't mind. My little one likes making things difficult. Isn't that right?" Carmin rubbed her stomach. "You like making easy things hard for mummy."

Xix rubbed her eyes. "Do you know if it's a boy or girl?"

"I wanted to be surprised." Carmin placed a hand on the seat beside her. Xix sat beside her. "Let's talk about your problem."

"Problem?"

"Why you ran off."

"Oh." Xix wrung her hands. "It's just . . . Amneris was right. I am the only one Naka would consider to give his power to. But I don't want that power. I mean, look at what happened to my ancestors, to my own father."

"You don't want to end up like they did. I know." Carmin took her hands. "You are nothing like them. I can see it. You're stronger than you think," she said firmly. 

Xix managed a slight smile. "Keep up those speeches and you will be a perfect mother."

"No one is perfect, but I plan to try my best." She sat back. "You don't want this power because you're afraid it will overtake you and you'll end up like your family?"

"In short," Xix sighed.

Carmin hummed thoughtfully. "Well, if you want my advice - do you want my advice?" Xix nodded. "My advice would be to conquer your fear. You're afraid of the power? There is no other way to get over that fear than to face it head on."

"Leap of faith, huh?"

"Pretty much," she said. "And don't forget only Naka's power can open the door."

Xix looked down again. "How can you be so sure nothing we go wrong?"

"I never said nothing would go wrong," Carmin said, raising a finger. "I only said that you wouldn't turn evil. Things always go wrong. It's what makes us alive."

A sigh. "Alright. I'll do it. Since you have that much faith in me." They laughed. "How can you be so sure?"

The Dragonoid woman tapped the side of her head. "The visions never lie." She pulled a phone from her pocket. "Now, are you absolutely sure you want to go through with this?"

Xix let out a long breath. "I'm sure."

* * * * * * * * 

The pair returned to the balcony where the others were waiting, Amneris joining them soon after. Xix, surprisingly, chose to sat beside Carmin. Dan gave their guest a suspicious look - she was the daughter of their old enemy, after all - but one look from his wife told him all he needed to know. Xix was on their side. 

"So, people, what do we know about these Trials?" Amneris leaned over the lounge behind Colt, resting her chin on his head. "If we need to pass them to enter Atlantis -"

"A certain area of Atlantis," Leo interrupted. 

"We're still figuring out exactly where," Jay added.

"Right. Okay. So, to enter this area of Atlantis, we need to know what these Trials are." She looked between Xix and Kek. "What do we know."

"Not much," Xix said. She gestured to the scroll and holographic image of the pillar. "According to these, there are riddles. The only problem is, uh, we can't find them."

"You can't find them," Kek countered, reaching for a piece of fruit on the table the group surrounded. "I know where they are."

"Spill," Amneris said.

"Naka's power mixed with the scroll," he put simply. "An old spell used in case enemies of Archeron - Lyriumians - got their hands on it."

"Ah."

"That is problematic," Zoe agreed. She looked at Xix. "This is where you come into play."

Xix and Carmin exchanged glances. Carmin gave her a small nod. "I'd have to find out where the Silent Core is hidden," Xix murmured. "Then I'd actually have to get into wherever it's hidden, hope the Core is there, pray Naka doesn't kill me-"

Amneris gave her a sideways smile. "Want us - me to come?" 

"Would that be a good idea?"

"I have a friend who can put in a good word." She tapped her pendant. "Trust me."

"Famous last words," Jay muttered. His head snapped up. "Did I say that out loud?"

"So, you are coming to Terpola?" Tara asked.

"Xix and I are," Amneris said.

"As am I."

She turned to Colt. "No, you're-" His eyes narrowed. "Okay, fine. Yes. You can come. But no one else." She addressed the others. "Once we find out what these riddles are, we'll let you know and decide who comes to Atlantis. Carmin and Dan are out, though."

"Seriously!" Dan exclaimed. He leaned back with a huff, crossing his arms. "Why not?"

"Because your wife looks like she'll pop any day now. That's why."

Dan made to argue, but stopped himself. "Yeah. Point taken. Keep in touch."

"We'll keep seeing what we can find." Leo turned to Nikki and Hathor. "Could use more heads, if you're up for it."

"Want me to call in my mates?" Hathor asked. "Like you said, the more heads . . ." 

"Fine. Call them in." 

She ran into the Palace, waving over a shoulder. Leo, Jay, and Nikki said their goodbyes before following. Ema went after them, saying she wanted something to do as well.

"Guess that leaves us and Xix." Colt tilted his head back. "What about the others."

Amneris turned to them. "I dunno. Do whatever. I'll let you know when we get back. Oh, and someone take Kek back to his cell."

"Come on!" Kek jumped to his feet. "You will need my help with this one and you know it."

She groaned. 

"He has a point." The both of them faced Colt. "Yes, I know. It does not sound like something I would say, but considering how much he knows . . ." He rubbed his hands together. "I hate the idea, but we need his help."

Kek grinned. "Glad that's sorted." He picked up the plate of food, wandering inside.

Amneris turned to the others. "Keep an eye on him."

The others slowly left until only herself and Lvaane remained on the balcony. 

"This is the part where you scold me for being reckless," Amneris said, coming to stand beside him.

Lvaane didn't take his eyes off the city below. "I believe you know exactly how I feel after our . . . discussion earlier."

"No kidding." She braced her arms on the balcony. "I know you worry, but I have a job to do and part of that job involves going to Terpola and-"

"Would that be why Naiu is with you?"

"Ah. You noticed." 

"I did once hold her power as you now do." He eyed his daughter, the Goddess' spirit inside her. "The both of you will be careful. I don't want either of you getting hurt."

"We'll be fine." Hopefully.