Meera clenched her fists and shook with rage. Of course, it's them.

It was like they had been behind everything she or Neel did. They must've somehow used their charm and deceptive words to get Neel to start moving. If it weren't for them, Neel might've been living it up here, and she could easily just come here and drag him back home—no matter his protests.

She started as she realized that it must've been this oracle, Domina, who must've told them about her. Where to find her in the Rothedon's forest. It all made sense now. The final piece of the puzzle finally fell into place.

"My Lady?" Arhazar noted her discomfort. It was hard not to, as Meera realized she was scowling.

"Let's just say I've had dealings with those two," Meera said.

His eyebrows shot up. "Really? And did they manipulate you as well with their words?"

"Oh yes, they did. What conversation did they have with Neel?"

"Well, it wasn't them that talked with Neel," he replied. "It was the oracle. The Savior and I were having breakfast when they arrived. Immediately, I knew something was up. They didn't feel like normal people. They felt different…"

Meera knew what he was talking about. Just like how she could tell he was an Ascendant, thanks to her Essence attribute. He must've been able to do the same. Though he didn't know their true nature, he probably thought they were also Ascendants, just more powerful than him.

"That's because they are Cosmarians," Meera said.

That seemed to have shattered their world. The Crown Prince visibly flinched. Arhazar eyes widened in shock, and his jaw dropped. Munral was the only one who had a relatively tame reaction as he only squinted at her, like trying to discern the truth from her words.

"No, Munral, I'm not lying to you," Meera said. To his credit, the man didn't flinch. "I gain nothing by lying to you."

"Unless you're trying to sow misinformation," he stated calmly.

"Munral, how dare you?" His king snapped. "Apologize at once."

The Chamberlain didn't skip a beat and bowed his head to her. "I apologize, Reverent lady. But how can you be so sure that they are Cosmarians?"

"Their uncle told me."

Another shocker, though this one didn't get nearly as good of a reaction as the last one, but still, they were quite flabbergasted.

Meera looked to Munral. "Before you ask, yes, I'm quite sure he was a Cosmarian because he's the one who told me where to find the archdragon. He's also the one who put him to sleep again. So, don't worry, the archdragon is not going to come chasing me here." Then, after a pause, she added. "And again, I'm not lying to you. The archdragon is probably already back at the Lightbringer mountains and found a nice, cold mountain to sleep on."

Munral was about to say something, but Arhazar shook his head, and he dropped it.

"My Lady, so as I was saying," Arhazar said. "The oracle Domina took him aside, and they conversed for a long while. I do not know what she said to your brother, but when he returned, he was not the same. The jovial lad was gone, and in his place stood a man. When I pressed him, all he said was that he must leave to fulfill his destiny. I offered to give him armor or weapons, but he didn't take anything save for a sack of gold coins. That was the last we saw of him."

"My latest reports said he was on Gethys," Munral added. "My Reapers were tracking him as best as they could."

"I already explored the Gethys lead," Meera said. "He went to the sorceresses after doing some dragon hunting. I figured he was back here on Ealisto and most likely headed towards the Warlocks of Winter's Embrace."

"The sorceresses told you so?" Munral asked.

She shook her head. "Eryx did. He also said that his nephews, Silas and Cossus, were heading towards the Warlocks, and they were on his tail as well. So, I figure he's there or was there."

"Reverent lady," Arhazar said.

There was a slight quiver in his voice, which gave Meera pause. This man was the most powerful king in this world, perhaps all the worlds and something had him vexed, which could not bode well for Neel. She almost didn't want to hear what he had to say, but it could be important.

"Yes?"

"I may not know where he is or where he went, but I know one thing for certain—the Savior is indeed in great peril, for he is on an errand or quest given to him by Domina. That woman is perhaps the greatest oracle alive. They say her prophecies always come true. Always. And in the worst possible manner."

"Oh, believe me, I know," Meera said. "I've been a part of two of her prophecies already and just barely survived each time."

He was taken aback for just a second before he composed himself. "Yes, but if they are Cosmarians, then he could be playing right into Rothedon's hand. The great enemy of all the people everywhere."

"That's unlikely…" Meera trailed off. It could be likely. After all, she had met Silas and Cossus in Rothedon's forest. Not far from the Fist, which held the barrier that contained the Cosmarians and their monsters.

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

However, Eryx had said that if Silas and Cossus were working for Rothedon, then the gods would have descended, chained them up, and thrown them in with Rothedon. But what if the gods didn't know? What if they used an intermediary to get in touch with their former employer? After all, didn't they work for Rothedon in the Eclipse War?

Meera's head swam. She didn't know what was the brothers' motives or this Domina's, but in the end, it didn't change her goal. In fact, it sped it up, if anything else. She needed to find Neel before the brothers did.

The only problem was, she didn't know where. But then the lines of the prophecy flashed in her mind.

The Arbiter wakes to follow a futile quest…

Meera gritted her teeth. If any of the recent prophecies were any indication, then this would also come true. After all, it was a line from the great prophecy. A chill went through Meera's spine. Her hands felt numb, not because of her impending doom but because this prophecy stated she would never find her brother.

Veridiana thought so, too.

She took heavy breaths, realizing it had been two months, and she was still nowhere close to finding him. If anything, he seemed even farther away.

"My lady?" Arhazar called, frowning.

She bowed at the waist. "Your Majesty, I humbly request a guide that can take me to the Warlocks of Winter Embrace."

"My Lady, I would help you, but…"

If that is not possible, please indicate their location on a map or find someone who can provide me with general directions. Even if you can just point me in the right direction, that would be a great help. Please, I beg you."

"Reverent Lady," Arhazar said. "Please, you do not need to beg. I would gladly offer you all the riches of my empire if they would help you in your quest. But a way to the Warlocks…is impossible."

Meera sighed, and her shoulders dropped. It was like the weight of the world had fallen on her shoulders, and she didn't know how to remain standing upright.

"Reverent Lady," Munral said. "His Divine Majesty speaks the truth. The warlocks reside past the borders of our empire. Past the glacial walls that border the land of the living. In the winter wasteland that we call The White Ember. Even if we wanted to, we couldn't help you, as we don't know the way ourselves. No one alive has ventured there and returned—no one who has ever dared to climb the Pale Mantle and survived to reach the top. The glacial walls may not seem that high from here, but they stand over twelve thousand feet tall. Taller than even Mount Drekha, which is the tallest peak in all the worlds."

Is my quest really futile? Meera found herself tearing up. It had been months, and she had been through so many battles and hardships. Hoping to get even mildly close to her brother, but every time, he got farther and farther away. It was like someone had been playing a sick joke on her.

If she was never meant to find her brother, then why did Midea bring her here? Why did she say that her brother was in trouble and needed her help? Why did she say that she needed to find Neel if her quest was always doomed to fail?

Meera felt woozy. Her head swam with so many possibilities and what-ifs. In the end, she sighed and wiped at her eyes. It took everything she had not to cry. To remain standing when she wanted to curl up on the floor and wail in misery.

"Is the Winter's Embrace to the north?" Meera asked, finally. Her voice was barely above a whisper.

Munral exchanged a glance with Arhazar before he answered. "No, Reverent Lady. It's to the south."

"So, the south pole…"

And all this time, I kept thinking it was in the North Pole.

She nodded slightly. "Thank you."

She didn't know if she could survive the journey. If it was all snow and ice, then hardly anything grew there. She doubted there would be another hermit Cosmarian that would give her refuge from the cold. Her quest was looking futile indeed.

"So, my quest finishes here…" She said more to herself than anyone present.

"Not quite, Reverent Lady," the prince said.

"This is my eldest, Sekaramal," Arhazar introduced him.

Meera knew she had heard the prince's name before and realized it was he who had ordered the burnings of those two Cervi. Her first instinct was to give him shit about it, but right now, these people were being friendly to her, and he was just about to tell her something that might lead to Neel.

"Yes, please go on," Meera said, controlling her anger.

"There are many professors at the University of Saranya who might have come up with some way to cross the White Ember wasteland," Sekaramal said. "I had heard from the palace staff that you flew here. Is that right?"

The God King turned on his son. "You knew of her coming?"

"I only found out this morning, Father," Sekaramal said. "I never got a chance to say anything before the day's proceedings began."

A hint of irritation, mixed with anger, passed on Arhazar's face. "Am I not the ruler of this empire?"

Both Munral and Sekaramal exchanged a glance, unsure if they should answer this question or not. A long moment passed, then, when it seemed that the question was not rhetorical, his son finally answered.

"You are, Father."

"Then why are the both of you treating me like the village idiot," he seethed. "Munral, you are not just my Chamberlain but also the Shephard of my intelligence network. Next time you hide something of this magnitude from me, I will skin your hide."

Munral bowed his head. "Your Divine Majesty."

The God King glared at them for a moment longer, radiating an aura that only an Ascendant could radiate. She wondered if she would radiate such power when she got mad. Though, she had no intention of dropping her Misidentify any time soon. Why make her more of a target if she could pass off as just another person unless the situation called for it?

Arhazar turned to Meera with a softened gaze. "My Lady, my son speaks the truth. There might be a professor at the university who may be able to help you survive the icy wasteland. But before you leave for the university, may I request you to meet with the royal oracle."

Not another oracle. Meera groaned inwardly. She wanted to refuse outright, but then she was standing in his royal court, and it didn't feel right to refuse him after they'd been so hospitable to her. Besides, she had a feeling she was going to need him for supplies for the journey to the Winter's Embrace—if she could ever figure out a way to get there.

"As much as I do not want my future spelled out for me," Meera said. "I cannot refuse you, Your Majesty. I will meet with your oracle."

Arhazar smiled. "Thank you, My Lady. She will be most pleased. After all, she had asked that you be brought to her when you arrive." He passed another hateful look to the other two men.

"I've heard of the oracle," Meera stated. "She's the one who announced my coming after Neel left."

Arhazar nodded. "Aye…she is not keeping well these days. I had feared she would pass on before you arrived, but I told her she worried for no reason. A prophecy decreed by a true oracle always comes true."

A lump formed in Meera's throat. She was beginning to hate this prophecy business.

"Shall we go?" Meera asked, wanting to be done with this meeting quickly.

"Yes," Arhazar turned to Munral. "Go make sure the Queen is ready for an audience with the Reverent Lady."

"Yes, Your Divine Majesty." Munral bowed and promptly left, and as he did, the shadow bubble popped without an audible sound.

"Queen?" Meera frowned. "Is she coming along with us?"

Arhazar smiled. "No, My Lady. My first wife, the mother of my children, and the Imperial Queen of the Varsha empire is the royal oracle."

"But someone told me that oracles are outlawed in the Varsha Empire," Meera countered.

"They are," Sekaramal replied. "But the same rules don't apply to us."

Of course, they don't.

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