Page 90 of The King of Koraha
“That symbol…what…” Another wave of intense pain slammed into her. She collapsed onto the ground with a moan.
“It’s the Invisible Sword’s symbol,” Gurice said, pulling her into her lap. “It’syoursymbol. You’re our leader.”
“Show…me.” Black and white spots danced in her vision, threatening to send her to oblivion.
“Mojag, cut her sleeve off,” Gurice ordered.
There was a snick of a blade and he sliced the material open, exposing her bicep. On it glowed the same symbol. But it soon brightened until it pushed the darkness consuming her vision back. The pain eased a fraction.
Shyla groped for the necklace around her neck. Her fingers brushed the metal and she jerked her hand away with a cry. It had burnt her fingertips and increased the agony pulsing through her body.
“Scorching hells. Did you see that?” Gurice asked.
“Yeah, and smelled it, too.” He crinkled his nose. “Burnt flesh.”
“I can’t…take…it…off…” Shyla dug her fingernails into Gurice’s arm. “Can…you…please…”
“Will it burn me, too?”
“Not…sure.”
“I’ll do it.” Mojag grabbed the necklace with both hands and yanked it off Shyla’s head. The pendant swung free.
“Don’t look at it,” Shyla cried, grabbing the pendant and hiding it in her fist. “I need something to crush the jewel.”
Mojag glanced around. He brought the druk lantern over. “Will this work?”
“I hope so.” Shyla placed the pendant on the ground face down. Then she bashed the lantern onto it as hard as she could. Instead of looking at the jewel, she slipped a hand under and felt smooth edges. “It didn’t break.”
“Wait!” Mojag rummaged around in his pack. “Aha!” He pulled out a chisel and a fist-sized stone.
“What are you doing with those?” Gurice asked.
“We’re in a new city. Sometimes even I need to mark my route to keep from getting lost. I know, surprising.” He handed Shyla the tools.
“Look away,” Shyla said.
Even she closed her eyes as she flipped the pendant around. Going by feel, she lined up the edge of the metal tool along the center of the black jewel. Then she slammed the rock down on the chisel’s handle. Hard.
A loud crack reverberated through her hands as the jewel fractured. At the same time her heart lurched as if the chisel had cleaved it in two. Pain exploded in her chest. The darkness was instant.
A pinprick of yellow light speared the darkness like a sun ray. It hit a figure made of crystal and fractured into a dozen arcs of colorful light. The crystal glowed with a soft golden hue. The figure turned and faced Shyla. The Sun Goddess studied her and frowned. Exquisitely beautiful, with hair that flowed to the floor, the goddess emanated power and warmth, melting the ice that had coated Shyla’s frozen body.
What are you doing here?the Sun Goddess asked.
I…don’t know wherehereis. Am I trapped inside the jewel?
You are in the sky.
I died?She rubbed her chest. It ached for a number of reasons. The biggest over never seeing Rendor again. And not being able to apologize for trapping him. Other memories sprang to life, revealing all the terrible things she had done. She had abused the power of The Eyes just like she’d feared, taking another step toward Tamburah’s madness.
I did not call you here, the Sun Goddess said.
Of course not. I should be burning in the seven caverns of hell for all I’ve done.
You did what you had to and it led you to me. I have another task for you, Shyla Sun-Kissed.
She couldn’t refuse the goddess, but she did question her choice of champion. Obviously Shyla hadn’t been strong enough to resist the jewel’s power.
