Luke Swan and the Laistrynians: The Flood

Chapter 15

Chapter 15

~The Truth is Treachery~

I burst into the tent and found the "friends" I had met this morning sleeping on the floor.

Zyra stood in the middle of her work, looking calm despite the livid look I gave her.

"You didn't give me all the answers last night," I snarled. I was surprised at the anger in my voice, but I didn't stop. "What more do you have planned for me? What are you going to use me for?!"

Zyra's expression didn't change, but I swear I saw a tear fall on her cheek. "I felt your rage, Luke Swan, and it summoned me here before you. It did not mention, though, that it was in fact me that sparked it. You do not much time here, so I will make this quick.

"Luke, you have a resemblance with Swanicaa that I am unable to ignore. Moreover, it is not just your face, it is your character. And I know that Swanicaa was a key scout during the first war. If he could enter into Selegonia undetected, so could you."

My first suspicions had been confirmed, but I needed to clear up some other things. "When we travelled to Selegonia the first time," I said, "you hated it, but you were the one who caused it, to test me. That ritual you were doing, it opened a gate briefly. But you didn't tell your sisters exactly what you were doing, because I'd say like you, they're terrible liars."

She nodded her head, as if telling me to go on.

"When I came back, you were obviously happy your little spy had survived," I continued, the distaste in my voice shocking me. I never thought I could be so bitter. "And you momentarily forgot your charade. Then, you electrocuted me and said I had revealed my gift to him, but that didn't make sense, because you told me before that he already knew and was trying to get rid of me. It was another lame lie."

This time, a few tears fell down her cheeks, making two fine lines on her face.

"And then you sent me to this hero camp, in the hopes that those people could train me to be a better spy. But it didn't last long, did it, before I found out!"

Zyra threw her head in her hands and sobbed. She meekly sat on the floor. My anger dissolved. How could I be so mean to a person? Especially someone trying to save her kingdom, maybe even the whole world. But then, I remembered her saying that Laistrynians had some influence over mortal minds. I had to be careful.

"Oh my God, Zyra I'm so sorry," I said. I didn't know what else to say. I just sat beside her and hoped she would calm.

"Luke, y-you every right to castigate me for my actions," she said in between sobs. I had a hard time understanding her, but I tried my best. "I shouldn't have brought you into the feud, but the way you reminded me of Swanicaa... it made me feel like leaving my brother behind. And that anger, that was another one of his traits. You are becoming more like him with every passing moon."

"So... you want me to go into Selegonia numerous times, find out as much info as possible, and still live with the fact that I resemble a god? I'm sorry, Zyra, but I still don't think I can do it."

Zyra raised her head. Her eyes were an even more startling blue, but fragile, like a calm sky before a thunderstorm. "If it is your decision," Zyra said, "so be it. But the fate of the world may be resting on your shoulders. I cannot force you, but you cannot change it now. The walls of this reality are breaking once more. Be prepared. I may not be able to save you again."

When I finally realised what she was saying, I already felt a familiar suction, what I felt that day in the temple before...

"Good luck, Luke Swan," Zyra said. "Whatever is your choice, know that you are a true hero... even if it comes to the end."

Before I could answer, I was sucked into the dark world of Selegonia.