The Isles of Ice Book Three: The Destined World

Chapter Four- Inciting Incident

Atlas sat down on Kai's bed. They immediately stood up, realizing that the bed had mostly disintegrated over time. "Kai and I met a little while after Kingston had forced Solanja into an alliance. The Ancient Monsters had all been dealt with. It had been a big ordeal for everyone to seal them all away. Kingston took advantage of that."

Xavier listened to their friend. "Right, I remember you've mentioned that before. Kingston wanted to fully control Solanja, didn't they?"

Atlas nodded. "They weren't able to. I refused to allow it. Astraeus was useless, of course. The alliance was basically an excuse for Kingston to occupy Solanja. That's beside the point, though. Because of everything that happened, I began to be more comfortable around the Solanjans. They helped me discover who I was."

Xavier's mind flashed back to when he was on the Isle of Muerend. Astraeus had accused Atlas of being biased due to their connection with the humans on Solanja.

"Some of the Solanjan officials introduced me to Kai," Atlas continued. They hesitated for a few moments before continuing. "We were very close. I... loved him. I never got to tell him, though I think he knew."

Xavier put his hand on his friend's shoulder. The captain knew that feeling better than most others. "Aye, I'm sure he did."

Atlas looked up at the sky. "And then, just when it felt like everything would be ok... Solanja sank. It sunk into the water. I assumed Astraeus had a hand in it, given I offered for the Guardians to come here and see the prophecy. It all seemed so convenient. Plus, only Guardians can manipulate the Isles using the Artifacts."

Xavier looked down at the key in his other hand. "So then, what does the key mean?"

Atlas shrugged. "I have no idea. Kai never mentioned anything relating to this. I'm alright now. I miss them, and it's weird being back here. But that's just the weight I have to bear."

Atlas started walking out of the room. "Atlas, you don't have to bear that weight alone. You know that." Xavier countered. "I'm here for you."

The Guardian glanced back at him. "You're right. Let's just... get going." Atlas hurried out of the room, and Xavier followed after them.

Everyone regrouped in the church. There was a pool of water in the center where the stairs sloped downward. The pews were all broken down and knocked over.

A stone prophecy rested in the back of the room, somehow entirely unscathed. "Did you all find anything?" Arvirdi asked.

Maya and Luna held up some random Solanjan items. "Nothing of importance. Though I did find some dead bodies. Not very pleasant." Maya reported.

Jacob shook his head. "Just some rooms belonging to the folks who live around here."

Xavier jumped in. "I found a records room. All the scrolls were magically preserved. There's probably a bunch there to investigate, but I'll just give you all the gist of what I found."

The Ice Pirate reported his findings to everyone. He shared the knowledge that he had uncovered, as well as the key he had found.

Luna glanced over at the prophecy at the back of the room. "So then, do we use the key somewhere on that?"

Atlas shook their head. "That's the prophecy. It's older than the building is. I think. Hang on though."

Atlas floated over the pool of water and up to the stone prophecy. The prophecy seemed to show the Guardians all surrounding one Guardian, and then them protecting the Isles of Ice from some sort of disaster.

Atlas placed a shadowy hand onto the stone mural. Purple energy suddenly surged into them for a few moments.

Everyone else stared for a few moments. Atlas then coughed a bit. "That power. It was left for me, in the prophecy. I've never felt it before. There's more underground."