The Kingdom of Broken Glass

I will be ready

The lights were dim in the formerly mirrored room of the castle. Someone had since cleaned up the broken glass from the floor, and the only piece of mirror that remained was the broken piece in Liza's shirt pocket. Liza knelt on the floor while Raysa stood staring at the empty walls.

Tears stained Liza's cheeks, "They all left me." Her tattered beige shirt was torn and flecked with blood, she hadn't changed since the fight. She couldn't believe Julian had left her, and he knew he was going to leave her but gave her no warning. Instead, he had picked Violet over her and expected her to go chasing after him.

Her former friends had stood united against her. They had chosen some random man over the people that had raised them up and trained them to where they are today. She could not believe everything that had just happened.

Raysa spoke, "That's not what happened."

"They betrayed me."

Raysa nodded, "And what are you going to do about it? Are you going to let them get away with it?"

Liza shook her head, her hands were shaking. "They're going to regret it, all of it." Images of herself and Violet raced through her mind, followed quickly with memories of training with Amon, and lastly followed by the feeling of Julian's arms around her. Her hands shook with rage.

"It seems I have found my partner," Raysa says proudly. She handed Liza a new outfit to change into, the top ruby red to match Raysa's emerald green.

Liza took the clothes, nodded and looked up at her, "I'm ready." She knew that she was ready, she had to be.

Raysa started to walk around Liza, "Do you know what it means to tie yourself to another person?"

Liza turned her head, trying to follow Raysa's movements. "Like marriage?"

"Sort of," Raysa giggles. "It is like a magical form of marriage. Tying yourself to another person means that you have chosen to be loyal to them for the rest of your life. It is not something you can so easily back out of. There is a sacred ritual, vows that must be said, and you have to do it with someone that you feel a deep connection to."

"Okay." Liza was unsure what any of this had to do with her. Had Raysa randomly decided to propose? "Where are you going with this?"

Raysa stopped behind her, "Julian and Violet have tied themselves to each other."

Liza's head whipped around so fast. She stood up quickly, "What?"

"I found out a couple minutes ago," Raysa replied. "They have chosen to stay with each other for the rest of their lives. Pity, he had such potential."

New tears found their way into Liza's eyes, "He really did choose her." Her breath was starting to come in small gasps again.

"Mhmm," Raysa nods. She goes over to Liza and wipes her eyes, taking away her tears. "Now is not the time for tears."

Liza has to force her next words past the lump in her throat, "What are we going to do next? We lost."

"Ah, ah." Raysa wags a finger, "We have not lost anything yet." She walks to the wall before running her hand down it, and a mirror appears under her touch. The mirror reflects their image for only a moment before it changes, turning to something different. Liza briefly sees Julian and Violet with their hands grasped together before the image changes. The Kingdom of Graza comes into view, Liza only knowing this because she recognized the throne room.

She gasped as the King came into view. The King was an old, miserable man. She only recognized him because his likeness was on the coins that they used in the Kingdom. Nobody ever had anything nice to say about their King.

He coughed into a handkerchief, then quickly shoved the blood stained handkerchief back into his pocket. She watched as he turned to greet emissaries, feigning a nonchalant appearance. Their words were hushed, but Liza could still hear them. They were talking about their sister Kingdom, Dipali.

Liza turned to Raysa in confusion. "What does this mean?"

Raysa smiled at the picture, not looking at Liza. "Plans are in motion, my dear. We have opportunities now that we have not had for years." She turns back to Liza in glee, "And now I have a partner to help me. We are going to make our way up the food chain."

"You want to have control of the Kingdoms?"

"I want to rule every Kingdom in this land, Elizabeth. I want every knee to bend under my command. We are going to rule over everyone soon, and everyone is going to answer for their sins." Raysa's face turned dark as she turned back to her mirror, "And I know exactly who we are going to start with."