The Legacy of the Uncharted

~ Chapter 65 ~ Threads of end game

The sky island drifted silently above the clouds, glowing with soft blue fire where the barrier touched the air. No storm could enter. No ship could approach. It was a world suspended between heaven and sea, and only one man in the world had the audacity to claim it.

Inside the Heart Chamber, Alexandria still slept.

Her breaths came quicker now dreams tightening around her like invisible chains. Her fingers twitched, her forehead damp with fear. The medallion on her chest pulsed in sharp bursts, light flickering violently beneath her skin.

Mordeclai sat beside her, elbows resting on his knees, gaze fixed on her face like nothing else existed.

Her lips parted suddenly.

"...they're coming..."

He froze.

"Alexandria," he whispered, leaning closer, "look at me."

But her eyes stayed closed, lashes trembling.

"...shadows... everywhere... they're coming..."

The blue crystals in the walls dimmed, like the island itself reacted to her panic.

Mordeclai slid his hand beneath her cheek to steady her.

"Who?" he demanded softly. "Who do you see?"

But she was slipping deeper into the nightmare he could not enter.

Then her voice broke small, terrified.

"...Mordeclai... help..."

His chest tightened.

A man who had buried kingdoms. A man who had strangled storms. A man the world feared...
felt fear himself.

He pulled her into his arms slowly, carefully, pressing her against him.

"I'm here," he murmured, voice shaking with something he would never admit. "No shadows will take you."

She shuddered and his jaw clenched.

This wasn't a dream.

It was a warning.

He laid her gently back on the starlight sheets and rose to his full height, the king returning to his armor.

"Selene," he called.

She entered immediately, bowing.

"It's starting," Mordeclai said. "Prepare the sky runes. We need to seal the barrier before the shadows reach us."

"Shadows?" Selene whispered. "You mean—"

"Yes," he said sharply. "The ones the Heart warned us about."

Selene's face drained of color.

"Then we... we don't have much time."

Mordeclai's gaze cut toward the adjoining chamber.

"Bring Sophie. I want her to see them."

Selene hesitated. "The children—"

"Bring them too."

She nodded and disappeared through the archway.

Moments later she returned with Sophie pale, exhausted and the twins bundled in cloud-blue blankets. Their tiny breaths puffed softly against their cheeks.

Sophie held them close as she approached Mordeclai, eyes sharp.

"What do you want from me now?"

"Look," Mordeclai ordered.