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The Prophesy Tower. Chapter 68. Write a Novel Challenge.

Write a Novel Challange Chapter 68 Stars crushed from the sky

by Alya Al ShamsiSeptember 7, 2020

If I can just figure out how to use the stone correctly then maybe I can put an end to all this madness and save humanity.

Neina’s hope was swiftly dashed as the Queen bellowed, “Neina, what are you doing? Put the stone down. Now.” Her voice sounded different this time, it still held power and authority, but it was also laced with hints of caution and wariness; something neither Neina nor Isla had ever associated with Queen Orla.

“You have no idea what you’re messing with. The stone of Arazeth is not a toy.”

What? What is Arazeth? What is it about this stone that has the Queen so afraid?

Questions reeled around Neina’s mind, but she knew that now she must take advantage of the power she now had in her hands. Queen Orla feared her, or, rather, the glistening object in her right hand.

“Just hand it over dear. That way no one gets hurt.”

“I don’t think so,” Neina spat back, “judging by the way you’re eyeing it, I’m guessing this thing is pretty valuable.”

“More than you could ever know,” replied the Queen in a half-whisper, as she reached out her quivering hand in a pathetic attempt to seemingly coax the stone out of Neina’s grasp. The claws at the end of her hand just barely grazed the gem before Neina yanked it to her chest.

“Why is this stone so important?” To Neina’s dismay there was no reply from the sorceress before her.

“You heard the girl,” Isla chimed in, “ANSWER HER!” Isla’s voice carried a mix of anger, authority and desperation. All this time Isla had acted as the Queen’s dog, her slave, but she never knew more than that which Her Majesty thought she needed to know. This left in Isla a desire for answers; a hunger to know what her purpose really was – why her life had been turned upside down, ruined. Isla had boxed these feelings up and stored them away, deep down, long ago. But now she had had enough. She was tired of feeling oblivious to the things that really mattered. She was, now, going to get answers – and whether Queen Orla liked it or not.

“Tell me or else I might have to accidentally drop this precious rock of yours,” threatened Neina, as she held the delicate object between two fingertips and swung it from side to side tauntingly, as though it meant absolutely nothing to her. Of course, nothing could be farther from the truth. This was one of the last things connecting her to Archie. Neina knew that, somehow, it was important. Archie had given it to her for a reason. Neina knew that now she must steel herself and put on whatever façade necessary to have power over Queen Orla.

“Okay, okay! I’ll tell you, but please be careful with that,” pleaded the Queen. Isla and Neina were astonished. This was the first time they had seen the Queen frightened of ….them. “The stone of Arazeth is a myth, or at least that’s what I thought. It holds immense power and is said to be able to do unimaginable things on the night of a full moon, more so than on any other night.” The Queen paused, as if catching her thoughts. “It has been missing for centuries. Many have searched for it. Somehow it has ended up with you.”

After a long silence, the Queen continued, “I guess you really are the chosen one. I’ve done my part, now hand it over.”

“Absolutely not, you’ve barely told us anything – and besides I never said I would give it to you.”

“If you do not hand over the stone, I will kill something precious to you dear Isla.” The Queen had again regained her vicious authority. Before Neina could blink, Queen Orla pulled a sword from behind her back.

The sword was one of the most beautiful things Isla and Neina had ever seen, inscribed with pictures of animals and people that were of such detail that it appeared that the sword blade had acted as a camera and photographed every battle, every part of every story, that it had been part of. It was also a Sword with a seemingly never-ending blade, one so sharp that Neina shuddered. Its blackness crushed out the light of the evening sunset pouring through the window. The Queen gripped its dark silver, emerald encrusted, handle with a force that frightened Isla.

But the Queen had not lunged at them, had not stabbed them to death, yet ….

Isla had seen this sword many times – knew its danger to both of them. She knew what she must do quickly. She seized the knife that had been discarded on the floor, hurling it at the Queen. The knife grazed the skin of the Queen’s upper arm, causing her to yelp in pain like a wounded anima. The clutched at it to stem the blood flowing from her wound.

Neina’s brain raced, trying to calculate the best course of action. She knew that even a single mistake now would mean all their deaths. Her attention shifted to the weight in her hand. She had almost forgotten about the presence of the stone. As it glowed and pulsed, it seemed that the stone was reminding her that it had a purpose ….

Neina leapt to the centre of the room where Isla now stood in front of her Mother, blocking the path of the Queen. She held out the stone and shut her eyes tight, praying for the stone to protect them.

Nothing happened.

The Queen was already getting back on her feet.

Neina was running out of time.

She knew that the stone was the only hope left. It could not fail her now. Neina felt tears welling up inside her. And anger. She thought of Archie and the love that had been taken away. As she did so she felt herself grasping the stone until she could feel its edges cutting into the soft skin of her palms, the pain making her wince and tears flow. Neina prayed for a miracle, for something, anything.

A hand reached out and snatched the stone.

Neina opened her eyes in alarm. She saw the person she least expected to be holding the stone, aiming it towards the skylight in the ceiling from which moonlight now streamed in, like a river of silver tears sucking the stars from the sky.

Isla’s mother was the one holding the stone.

Suddenly, a brilliant, blinding turquoise light beamed from the stone, filling the room with waves of energy. Neina’s eyes instinctively scrunched shut and she reached frantically for Isla’s hand, grabbing it in the blackness. She knew that she must not, they must not, open their eyes.

As blackness haemorrhaged in on her, all that was left were the agonising shrieks of Queen Orla.

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The Prophesy Tower – A Novel.

To read Chapter 1, click here.

To read Chapter 2, click here.

To read Chapter 3, click here.

To read Chapter 4, click here.

To read Chapter 5, click here.

To read Chapter 6, click here.

To read Chapter 7, click here.