A Single Strand || #Wattys2018

Chapter Thirteen

The King is indescribably huge. Only the great eryaloa'e from Sargada can rival his size. Thick, leathery scales plate his entire body, sheer white from years of living underwater. Only his shelled back, armed with spikes thicker than Hyrna's neck, shows any sign of damage, as blackened scorch marks crawl over his skin. His arms look like wings themselves, with freakishly long fingers webbed with tough, translucent skin. A mane of fin rays stretches from the end of his powerful crocodilian head to his neck. Six radiant red eyes challenge all who see him to take a fleeting glimpse into the mind of a creature older than anyone else on Maihikiango, someone who knows the passage of time better than all else.

"Your Gloriousness," Mahanako cries out, spreading his arms out to his side and bowing as low as he can. Avalu quickly mimics her friend's submissive stance. All Hyrna can do is stare in total awestruck fear.

"It has been so long since I last knew the feeling of sunlight," the King whispers in a voice so low and thunderous that it sends a sharp chill down Hyrna's spine. She's too shaken to ask if he's the same one who called out to her, chanting, "NEMARIN," but she instinctively knows that it was him.

His gaze shifts towards the hovering Nemarin, and all six eyes widen in wonder.

"And it has been so long since I last saw one of your kind," he gasps. "Who are you, and why have you returned to this planet?"

"I-I'm Hyrna Mal'vai," Hyrna says, praying that her voice remains level. "Wh-Who are you?"

"I am King Samulu of the Takome," he declares. He spreads his arms out as far as he can, sending up a wave of foam and effectively scaring Hyrna even more. Then, to her shock, he stretches out one arm and scoops her out of the air, bringing her frighteningly close to his face.

"Mal'vai... I know your name," Samulu rumbles. His eyes widen even more, casting a garnet glow over his face. "Why did you come back?"

It takes a minute for Hyrna to gather enough courage to make a response that isn't a frightened mewl. When she does, she manages to say, "I-I didn't mean to come here. I landed here by accident. And what do you mean, come back?"

"Accident?" Samulu rasps. "What do you mean? And how have you survived for this long?"

"It's only been a few weeks since the crash," Hyrna says, highly unsure of the king's mental stability if he's confusing her for someone else.

Samulu moves Hyrna closer to his face and squints. He whispers, "You look just like her though..."

"Like... who? Just like who?" Hyrna demands. She knows it's very risky, but she feels as if King Samulu is purposefully testing her patience.

After a moment's silence, Mahanako butts into the conversation. "Your Gloriousness, if you will, her ship was downed by a Karnas sentry rocket. We have reason to believe that they might be planning another attack. If you think it to be wise, I suggest that we make a final attack in order to properly end this war."

"They could wipe off all who remain of our people," Samulu growls.

"Not if you fight with us," Avalu says hopefully. "They can't kill you. Hyrna found that out. The Karnas really wanted you dead, but they couldn't figure out a way. I mean, you're so strong! They can't hurt you! Tell 'im, Hyrna!"

All six of Samulu's eyes lock onto Hyrna, who takes a very deep breath and tells herself, You can do this. "The Karnas had something written about you," she manages to spit out. "They said that they didn't have a way to kill you. They... They said, 'The King shall lose his throne.' They want you dead, and they're angry."

Samulu chuckles, a deep, thrumming sound. "I remember. Their attempts to kill me left me with these." He turns his winged arm around to his back, showing Hyrna his myriad of scars and burns. The Nemarin gasps, appalled at how horrible the injuries look. One scar in particular stands out, one near the top of his shell, a seven branched scar like lightning bolts.