The Higher Plain Ch 26: Times Of Regret, A Kings Decision!

(Krelzor) The kettle whistled in the background, but I couldn't care less. I stood in my kitchen, arms crossed, just watching her. Faylina s

(Krelzor)

The kettle whistled in the background, but I couldn't care less. I stood in my kitchen, arms crossed, just watching her.

Faylina sat on my couch—well, more like curled up on it as much as someone her size could. She looked so small in that moment, which was saying something considering she could crush a boulder under her pinky toe on a bad day. Her shoulders were slumped, hands tangled together in her lap, and her gaze locked on her palms like they held all the answers—or maybe all the guilt.

And who could blame her?

Most of the kingdom was still smoldering, half-eaten by shadow and half-pummeled by her. Not that she meant to. That Morvren or... Vorlith or whatever it was, it had her pinned. She did what she had to. Hell, if she hadn't gone full mountain-sized warrior goddess, we'd all be a smear on the ground.

Still. That kind of destruction doesn't just get brushed off.

I sighed, finally moving from the kitchen and plopping down next to her. The cushions dipped hard beneath her weight, even shrunk down. I sat quietly for a few moments, glancing sideways at her. I didn't want to push, but the silence was starting to feel like another weight neither of us could lift.

"You know," I started, clearing my throat, "this whole mess... it doesn't have to be yours to carry alone."

She didn't look at me. Just shook her head slowly.

"Krelzor," she said, voice soft but steady, "when I was little, I dreamed about the lower world. About your world. About coming here. I used to sneak out of lessons and stare at the sky, wondering what it was like down here. It became... everything to me. A stupid dream I couldn't let go of, even when I was supposed to grow up."

She finally looked at me, eyes clouded with pain. "And because of that dream, your home burned. Your people were hurt. What right do I have to feel anything but guilt?"

I didn't know what to say at first. I wanted to tell her she was wrong, that it wasn't her fault, that the monster was the one who did all of this. But what would that even sound like to her right now? Hollow? Naïve?

So I asked the only thing I could.

"What are you going to do?"

Faylina hesitated, then stood up. Her voice was quiet. "I don't know."

Then, without another word, she turned and walked into the guest room, closing the door gently behind her.

I stayed there on the couch for a long time, just listening to the clock tick and the wind outside shift through the broken town. Something told me I'd have to say goodbye to her soon.

And I didn't like that at all.

⸻

In the Kingdom of Xylarion

The throne room of Xylarion was carved from marble the color of snow, lit by the soft glow of floating crystal orbs that hummed with quiet magic. Banners of silver and blue hung from the arched ceilings, each stitched with the sigil of the royal family: a dragon wing curled protectively around a tree rooted in stars.

King Valendar sat tall upon his throne, clad in gleaming white armor with a sapphire cape draped over his shoulders. His expression was carved from stone, but a storm brewed behind his eyes.

Before him knelt a woman in silver-scaled armor, her silver hair tied back in a long braid that brushed the floor. The blade at her side shimmered with faint, pale fire.

"So you know what you must do," the king said, his voice calm but cutting.

"Yes, my king," the woman replied, head bowed low.

He stood slowly, taking one step down from the dais. "You are my blade, Kaelira. You've served me without fail through six campaigns and two uprisings. You are second only to me in the Silver Wing Fighters."

Kaelira lifted her head, her eyes like steel.

"Then hear me clearly," Valendar continued, "bring my daughter back. Before it's too late."

Kaelira pressed her fist to her heart. "I will not fail you, Your Majesty."

Valendar nodded solemnly, his hand falling to the hilt of his ceremonial sword. "Good. The corruption in the lower world is awakening. If what we felt through the rift was truly Vorlith... then she is already in greater danger than she realizes."

Kaelira rose to her feet in a smooth, practiced motion. "I will find her, and if she resists?"

The king's jaw tensed. "Do what you must—but do not let her fall."

Kaelira gave one final bow and turned sharply on her heel. The throne room doors opened before her, light spilling through as her footsteps echoed into the distance.

Behind her, King Valendar watched the light fade.

"Faylina," he murmured under his breath, barely audible, "what have you brought upon us?"