Fate Breakers

Chapter 8

Isla

Years Ago...

In Euonia, you only survive if you are born a somebody. That is a fact you accept when you are young, because if you don't, you set yourself up for a life of hardship and disappointment. Baba taught me about the Legacy Lines: families who have been around for millennia and maintained a steady stream of power. This power was not always through status, though for most it ended up like that.

The scariest are the Addisons, Agulines, and Dalthus families. The Aguline family had ruled over Moria—the land of crystal—for nearly half a millennia back to back. Then, one of their kings was murdered, and for fifteen hundred years, Moria was left to ruin. At some point, the Aguline family bled into the Dalthus family. The Dalthus family has ruled Waveya—the home of the wyverns—for two thousand years straight. The current Queens of Waveya and Moria are sisters.

Then the Addisons. They go wherever the hell they like and do whatever the hell they like. Athena chose a child from that bloodline nearly two thousand years ago, and since then, they've rarely been outside of the limelight.

There's other Legacy Lines, some names I know and some I don't. What I know is that our family was once a Legacy Line, but we lost our power nearly five hundred years ago. Baba never told us why.

I feel like I know.

↻

Living in Galida under the king had been devastating. Being conscripted into the Balor was a tragedy.

Jade had been hollow since we left Puerto Luz. I was stupid enough to believe that since she was so young, she wouldn't remember our homeland.

"We're Sea Sirens," she'd say, almost absent minded at times. "We are one with the water, and water holds memories."

Mama likes to say that Jade is an old soul come back to feel young again. I don't believe that. My theory is that this girl I love more than anything is not wholly my sister. Jade died at birth, but doctors were able to resuscitate her. That is when I believe something snuck in. Jade has always been stronger magically speaking, so I think that is why she still has control over herself. I think this because she says things that sound too wise for someone of her age.

I think this most of the time, but then I think back to the night I was packing. I will never be able to forget the way the tears rolled from Jade's cheeks, or the way her breath hitched, or how she clung to me. Jade doesn't like hugs.

"W-we were supposed to be safe here," Jade had sobbed. "Wh... what was... what was the point of leaving Puerto Luz if you were never safe?"

"It isn't only me Baba and Mama were protecting." I held her tightly in my arms, trying to ignore the voices in my head that told me it would be for the last time. I took Jade's face in my hands, brushing the tears from her eyes. "I will see you again. Maybe not soon enough, but I will not let myself die without seeing my little sister one last time."

"I-I can join too—"

"No."

Jade had flinched, my heart clenched. She didn't flinch at someone's tone of voice before we began to serve the King of Galida. I softened my tone. "No," I said again, "I won't let that happen. You're more than a weapon for someone else to use, Jade."

"S-so are you," she argued.

I nodded, knowing deep in my core that at the time, I was lying to her face. It could have been the last time I'd see my sister, and I lied to her. "I know that, but until I'm ready for them to know otherwise, I have to play the part."

Neither of us said anything for a while. We didn't know what to say. For the longest time, we just held one another in silence and cried. Cried for the years taken from us too soon, cried for what we would face without each other, cried for everything and nothing at all.

"I love you, Isla..."

"I love you too, Jade."

↻

Two Years Ago

The paperwork makes me want to gouge my eyes out. Pages upon pages of shit that I not only don't understand, but shit that I blatantly don't care about. I focus down to key words:

Your violent behavior is intolerable... transferred effective immediately to the Aeolian Sector.

I locked eyes with Balor Warrant Officer Case. Officer Case has hated me since the day I was brought into the Calén Sector. He's a Hell Raiser with the meanest attitude I've ever seen. Others have told me that he's immortal, fought on Noetica's side back during the first war, and that he's still bitter about everything. Frankly, I don't give a shit what his excuse is, it's no reason to talk down to people the way he does.

"So you're transferring me because of my attitude?"

"Precisely." Officer Case started to gather up my files then and there. "Balor Kila is damn tired of your attitude, and I'm tired of getting complaint after complaint about you. I pray to Nemesis that you get stuck with Second Lieutenant Makatza. Maybe then you'll get your attitude in check."

Makatza's name on his tongue sent chills down my spine. He had the power to do it, and I truly believed he would. "I can file a counterclaim."

That gave Officer Case pause, and my blood started running like normal again. "I'm... sorry?"

I fucking knew it.

"You heard me. I can file any counterclaims you throw at me, and whether they have merit or not, you've got no choice but to file it and see it through."

Officer Case scoffed. It was a bluff, the sweat was trickling down his brow like rain on a windowsill. "Nice try, but you're part of the Aeolian Sector now."

"Where a soldier is stationed has no merit," I shot back instantly. I'd done my research. "We are in Calé, and in Calé it is guilty until proven innocent."

The silence was so sweet. I had him by the balls, and for the first time in years, I felt like I had agency in my life. Officer Case was visibly uncomfortable, unable to meet my gaze. Most of those complaints were complete bullshit, and even the few that weren't wouldn't warrant such punishment. Besides, Officer Case has a bad reputation for taking advantage of desperate female soldiers.

Seeing his body slack with surrender was thrilling. It was a high that I'll never be able to replicate again. Hearing him relent was like music to my ears. "Name your price."

"Don't stick me with Makatza."

"That's fucking it? Are you kidding me?"

I raised my brows. "Wanna test if I am?"

Again, that sweet silence.

"I fucking hate you, you salty little bitch."

I really wanted to tell him the feeling was mutual. I wanted to say a lot of vulgar things, but then I would've ruined any progress I made. So instead, I flashed him a shit eating grin. "May this be the last time our paths ever cross. Good luck, Warrant Officer Case."

↻

Present

This man isn't the Gannon I knew. Just the sight of him makes me want to scream, the grief clenching my heart.

He's so thin, and there's greys in his black hair. The bags under his eyes are so heavy and dark, it makes his eyes look sunken in. His body looks so beat down and tired.

Then, my eyes meet his. Gods... his eyes. In the blue, I see a sparkle, a shine that my soul's been aching to see again. That sparkle spreads, and I can see the faintest dimples in his cheeks, his smile spreading across his whole face.

My heart throbs, and for the first time in years, I swear I hear the waves of home.

"Isla," he cries out, his laugh echoing in the empty room.

Gannon's arms fly around me, and for the first time in years, I feel at home.