The Seven Realms - Joker

three

Echo sat in the shower, hot water running and her head resting on her knees. Her soaked hair completely blocked her view. She felt empty inside knowing that her favorite brother was leaving, as if a part of her had been ripped from her body. It was hard enough when he had left for his studies, to know that their days of mischief were over. He was her partner in crime and she was his and she wouldn't want it any other way. He would leave in two days. It was too early for Echo.

It wasn't the fact that he was leaving that was truly bothering her. It was the fact that he was selling his soul to King Ether, and running straight into Amadria's realm and nobody returned from it.

The Gods were seven in number, each creators and guardians of seven different realms. The magic realm, the one Echo lived in, was guarded by Areem, a proud God who loved power and privileges and games. He loved playing with humans, reminding them that they were pathetic and powerless mortals while he was an undying superior creature with the power to take down a whole realm with a snap of his fingers. Echo's mother always said that one day his excessive pride would bring his downfall.

It was Areem who had brought war into the magic realm. He saw it as a game and threw it upon the magicians when he was hungry for more. He loved games and games had rules : in his wars, the Aces were the strongest and the twos were the weakest. The Jokers had unimmaginable powers and hid among the crowd, rare as they were. There were only two, Areem's favorites, hunted like deers by the Kings and capable of bringing down enemy kingdoms. They were the only ones capable of putting an end to the war. But where would you find a Joker ?

Echo was pulled out of her thoughts by a knock on the door. She hadn't realised the shower had been running for many minutes and that she'd been in there for a long time.

- Echo ? Are you okay ? You've been in here for an hour, said a voice through the door.

It was her mother.

- Yes mom, I'm nearly done, she replied trying to keep her voice steady.

She stood up and quickly washed her body and her hair, got out of the shower and wrapped herself in a towel.

She had to walk a good seven steps from the showers to the sink and mirror. There was another sink on her right and at the far end, a teal bathtub only little Lucan had ever used. There was a single arched window between the two sinks, from where Echo could spot the sea and now the fires ravaging the main city. She never understood why the architects had designed such a wide bathroom. Because of that, she had to share a room with her eight-year-old sister. She loved Pandora, but also wished she could have had more privacy. She missed her old house where she had her own bedroom and bathroom, and when things weren't so complicated.

Echo stared at her reflection. She tried to smile, but couldn't keep it. She felt like she was putting too much effort into it, when just a moment ago it had been so easy. She wouldn't fool anyone like that.

Better keep a neutral face, she thought.

She put her night suit on and before she opened the door, she took a deep breath to stop herself from crying.

She found her mother in the hallway wishing good night to the boys. It was quite dark, with a single lamp lighting the corridor. Nausicaa turned around and came face to face with her daughter.

- Lucan woke up when he heard Achille, she explained. It's impressive how fast he falls asleep but how hard it is to put him to bed.

- Children, Echo simply said with a smile.

- You were a terrible child you know, joked her mother.

- Mom ! I know I'm your favorite, will you just admit it ?