Kingdom of the Nine: The Princes (II)

Chapter 7

I stare at my hands, still shaking. My breath comes fast, the weight of what I've done settling in like a stone in my chest. "I... I killed him?" How could I have? None of this is making any sense.

Domnik glances at me, a half-smile playing at his lips, though there's something intense in his eyes. "Well, that answers that question, I guess."

"What question?" Why is he being so calm about this?

He turns back to the dark, dissolving remnants of Galagon, his expression unreadable. "You're not mortal, Red. No mortal, no matter how skilled or how powerful, not even one holding a blade like that, could kill a god. Only gods can do that... kill each other."

His words hang in the air. Only a god? No I'm just Red, this is really not making any sense. What the fuck is it you're saying, why can't I grasp what he's saying? "So you're saying... I'm a god?"

Domnik nods slowly. "That's the only explanation. Look there is no time to waste. We have to keep moving, once the others catch wind of Galagon's death things will get harder for us."

Holy shit this guy doesn't even care what's going on in my head, does he? "Give me a second here Domnik!"

"I'll give it to you once we get out of here!" He shouts.

I stagger back in shock. Bastard. But now I see him trembling, he's uneasy, there's something he's with holding maybe? Something that's coming next.

He looks around apologetically. "Look I'm sorry, but seriously, you have no idea how bad this is going to get. We have to move."

You didn't have to shout about it. I suppose you did just kill your own, father figure. "To where?"

"The Shores, you have the flask still right?"

I think? I nod anyway, fumbling to retrieve the flask from my belt. Thank Chronos it's here! I was genuinely worried I had lost it when we teleported here. My hands still tremble, and the flask feels like it weighs a thousand pounds as I pull it out. "The Shores... what does that even mean, are we going straight to Muthos?"

He takes a step closer, lowering his voice, his expression a mix of urgency and something almost... protective. "Yes, the quicker we move, the less time the others will have to prepare for us."

My mind spins as I follow his lead, stumbling after him as we move deeper through the halls of the fortress. What about my sister? "But... what about Alyse? Isn't that why we came here?"

"Alyse is still the priority Red, but keeping you alive is part of getting her back." He glances back at me, his face grim. "You have a power the Daem will kill for—or worse, try to control. We can't let them have it, or you. The only way we fix this is if we take down Muthos first, he's after me and once he learns you killed Galagon, he'll be after you too."

The reality hits hard, and I clutch the flask tighter, my pulse racing. Why'd you have to go and let me be the one to kill him? "Fine, then. Lead the way."

Domnik's eyes harden with resolve. "Stick close to me, and no matter what you see, don't hesitate. The Shores of Malice are unpredictable, but if we keep our heads, we'll make it through."

We better.

"Come on, I'll take you to a spot where we can start the ritual." Domnik starts to run towards the door, heading outside.

The castle begins to shake. The ground splitting and cracking. Lava rising from its openings. I look up to Domnik as he stumbles and trips to the ground.

"Fuck Domnik!"

"I'm okay! I was afraid of this. Come on we have to get out of here!" He shouts has he waves his hand, inviting me to run towards him.