The Legacy of the Uncharted

~Chapter 71 ~ The Sky and Sea queen Awakening

The winds on Zephyrion curled around the floating stone platforms as Galen, Elara, Eli, Kaidren, and their fighters stepped onto the glowing sky-bridge. Mordeclai's people had met them with blades drawn, sparks flying, the air thick with tension.

But when Mordeclai himself appeared, every weapon lowered.

Alex's medallion pulsed at his chest like a heartbeat.

"Enough," he commanded.

Even the wind obeyed.

Galen planted his boots firmly. "We're not here to bow to you."

Mordeclai looked past them, toward the Heart Chamber. "And I'm not here to fight you. Not today."

Elara narrowed her eyes. "Then talk. Before this island decides to drop us."

"You want the truth." Mordeclai stepped forward. "So here it is."

Theo and Lucy staggered up behind the group, still weak from being rescued. Sophie held her twins close; both infants stared toward the Heart Chamber with glowing blue eyes.

Galen noticed. "They... react to the island?"

Sophie nodded. "They've been sensing something since we arrived. He" she looked at Mordeclai didn't harm them. He fed us. Protected us. He kept Alex alive."

Elara blinked. "Protected you? Why?"

Theo rasped, "Because this entire place listens to Alex. And to him."

Eli stepped forward, voice low, trembling with anger. "Why? Why go this far for her? Why drag her into this war?"

Mordeclai turned fully toward him. "Because she is my queen. My wife. My equal. The only being in this world whose power can rival mine."

That froze everyone.

Elara stared. Galen exhaled sharply. Theo swore under his breath. Sophie looked away. Even the wind stilled.

"And," Mordeclai continued, softer, deeper, "...I love her."

Eli's face twisted, furious, wounded. "If you love her, then why didn't you let her come back to us? To me?"

Mordeclai's eyes narrowed just slightly. "What does that have to do with you, Captain Santavez? You're in love with her?"

Eli stepped forward, fists shaking. "She loved us. She trusted us. She trusted me. You stole her from her life, from her crew, from the world."

Mordeclai didn't flinch. "No. I saved her from a world that would have torn her apart once the Heart awakened."

"You forced her," Eli spat. "You motherf—"

Mordeclai moved so fast the wind cracked. His hand caught Eli by the collar, not hurting him, but stopping him cold.

"You think I force Alexandria Vale?" he said quietly. "You think a woman who has survived storms, pirates, kings, and death itself would bend to anyone?"

He let go.

"She chose me."

Eli staggered back, breathing hard. "Then why isn't she awake?"

Mordeclai's jaw tightened. "Because she is fighting something none of you understand."

Sophie stepped forward. "Tell them. Tell them the truth."

Mordeclai looked at all of them.

"The Sky Islands were never abandoned. They were sealed. Locked. Guarded from the shadows that hunted the Heart."