Meera stared at the prince, whom she thought wasn't a prince so far. He smiled coyly at her, thoroughly enjoying her reaction. It all made sense now—Vasda's reaction upon seeing him at the library. The guards at the University, falling to his command, and letting her in. He didn't want to meet Hiral because, technically, he was his uncle, which would've exposed him.

"Reverent Lady, let me introduce you to my youngest brother," Sekaramal said. "This is Garalazhir, or simply Garal as he likes to be called."

Garal took her hand and placed a gentle kiss on it. "Reverent Lady, it is so nice to officially meet you...finally."

The others frowned at that.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Sekaramal asked, frowning.

"We've met before," Meera said. "Several times, in fact, but he didn't reveal that he was royalty. Why was that, Your Highness? You thought I would've run away."

He laughed lightly. "Not at all, Reverent Lady. I just think that I can gauge a person's true nature when they don't think I am, well, me. When they find out who I really am, then they start bowing or trying to get something out of me."

"Well, you won't have that trouble with me," she replied. "I try not to exploit royalty unless it pertains to my brother, and I've already learned everything your father knows."

Garal smiled. "Good, that means we can remain friends."

Before Meera could reply, Manazhar jumped into the conversation. "Oh, thank the heavens, you're okay, Reverent Lady. When I left you in the Rawaki Jungle, I was so afraid for your life."

"Yes," Rehia said. "He almost went to our dear father, who would've rewarded him quite nicely for such a blunder. As much as I would've liked to see that, I stopped him from doing so."

"If I remember correctly, Your Highness," Meera said. "You didn't leave me there, I kicked you out of the door because I wanted all the experience for myself."

"Yes, and it seems the jungle has been good to you," Rehia said. "You've leveled up quite nicely, though one would think that you would've gone up even higher for the amount of time you spent in the jungle."

Rehia's tone was playful, but her eyes were anything but playful. They were like they had always been, calculating. She was trying to figure Meera out, trying to see what response she would give or, better yet, trying to catch Meera in a lie. This much she could tell.

"I wasn't fighting all the time," Meera said. "Believe me, there were plenty of monsters that I couldn't handle, and I had to run from them."

"Really?" The princess asked. "But the way, my dear brother told me, he said that you fight like someone far above your level. That you have some gift to take on many foes at once. Wasn't that right, Manu?"

Manazhar nodded, but said nothing.

So, he wasn't as aloof as she had initially thought. She mentally kicked herself. I should've raised my levels a little higher. Oh well, the damage is done.

"Yes, but those were for monsters around level four hundred. I saw a basilisk that was level seven hundred, and I ran from it the moment it laid eyes on me, but the thing chased me for two whole days. I tried to escape through the door, but it smashed into the ground."

"So, that's why the door is sealed," Manzhar concluded.

Meera nodded. "That's right. It must be ten feet into the ground, if not more. Sorry, Your Highness, your training grounds are now closed."

The prince looked sad, no more than sad; he looked hurt, but after a few moments, he smiled. "It's okay, Reverent Lady, as long as you're safe, that is all that matters."

"Yes," Garal said. "What is with this line of questioning? Do you not trust her, and what would she gain from lying to us about this? I apologize on behalf of my siblings, especially this one." He motioned to his sister. "She thinks she is Munral sometimes."

"If I had his job, I would do it better and with more subtlety and not send assassins to every new guest," Rehia said.

Meera's head snapped to her. The princess smiled and nodded, as if confirming that she knew about the Reapers who had come to welcome Meera. She had the feeling that this woman was definitely more than she seemed. I have to be careful around this one. After all, she is a sorceress.

Garal took her by the arm and seated herself next to her. Sekaramal didn't like that one bit. His nostrils flared, and he crossed his arms. Rehia didn't miss a beat in fueling the flames between the brothers.

"Looks like little Garal stole your date, big brother." Then she added. "Like he does most things. Makes me wonder if he'll steal the throne from under you as well."

Sekaramal's head snapped to her. "Mind your words, Rehia."

She smiled innocently. "I'm just saying, be careful."

Meera had to suppress her smile. She actually enjoyed the way the siblings riled each other up. However, Manazhar seemed to be far removed from this. He took his seat before Rehia could say similar words to him. But the fact that this woman had brought the sorceresses here must mean she was planning something. After all, she didn't seem like the type to sit idly by.

Before she could converse with Garal, a gong sounded, and all conversations stopped. The gong sounded two more times, even though once was enough. She was seated so close to the gong that it almost made her ears bleed. Sometimes, she didn't like her superior hearing. It was fortunate that the man stopped after the third try, or she would've chopped his stick in half.

The master of ceremonies spoke in a loud voice. He must've had some skill to amplify his voice because it sounded like he was speaking through a microphone. He was a short, willowy man, dressed in rich clothing with a striking red turban. It didn't seem like he would have nearly as powerful a voice as he projected. So it had to be a skill.

"Now, we come to the event that you have all been waiting for," he said. "A week ago, His Divine Majesty had asked his sons to come forth with trials to prove that they are worthy of the throne."

The guests banged on the table lightly as a way of applause. Though Meera wondered if that even needed applause or if the people were just sucking up to their king.

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"Yes, and that time has finally come. The time has come to see which one of the princes will prove themselves worthy to follow their great father and lead our great nation to prosperity and even greater heights. Your Highnesses, please bring forth your chosen trials."

Sekaramal shot to his feet. He strode forward to the massive seat that his father sat on. He dropped to a knee before his father and bowed his head. "Father, I failed you once by failing to conquer the Cervi kingdom. It has brought me great shame, as it has been a great loss to me and a mark of shame for me as a general, for the lives of our soldiers that were lost at the hands of those beasts."

Meera could feel the hate exuding from the man, and she wondered if that was another of her abilities from the Essence attribute. But then she looked to the God King, and his expression was nothing but hateful, and she realized that this hateful aura was coming from him.

"With your permission, Father, I wish to undo my mistake," Sekaramal continued. "And conquer the Cervi kingdom in your name, so you can be the God King who can finally reign over all of Ealisto."

The room roared their approval. They weren't just tapping lightly on their tables anymore. They were up on their feet, clapping and shouting words of encouragement or just roaring in general.

Garal looked impressed. Though his other two siblings were anything but. Manzhar sat with clenched fists, and Rehia looked like her eldest brother was anything but the biggest idiot in the room. She shook her head dismissively.

God King Arhazar raised a hand, and the room grew quiet. "It is a worthy trial, my son. You will have the First and the Fifth armies for this task. Do not fail me this time."

"I will not. Thank you, Father." He bowed his head, rose to his feet, and returned to his seat.

Manazhar was next. He went to his father and dropped to a knee just like his brother.

"Your Divine Majesty, before we conquer more lands, I believe we should secure our borders first," Manazhar said. "The Harastai kingdom is open rebellion. Their rebellion is small and can be contained quite easily. We also need their mines for trade and commerce. The rebellion has disrupted both."

Several heads nodded at that. It seemed more than a few people had lost money because of that rebellion.

"As I have proposed before, Your Divine Majesty," Manazhar continued. "We need their mountain ranges to build bunkers for our people when Aetheron awakens. We but need to look to our skies to know that Aetheron is close. The Saviour has been here for some time, and now, the Reverent Lady has shown herself as well. This could only mean that Aetheron's awakening is close, and we must protect our people, for without them, we do not have an empire. So, Your Divine Majesty, my trial will be to bring down the rebellion so we can begin construction on safeguarding our people for the end times."

Arhazar just nodded. "You have the sixth army to bring down the rebellion."

"But the sixth army is the smallest," Rehia hissed.

Sekaramal scoffed. "Didn't he say the rebellion is small. He'll be fine."

The grin on his face spoke all that Meera wanted to know about this arrogant prince. She wished for his conquest to fail so badly, but she said nothing.

Manazhar said nothing in protest. He simply bowed. "Thank you, Your Divine Majesty."

Finally, Garal stood. He didn't bother going to his father. He bowed. "Father, I do not want the throne." There were many audible gasps around the room. "I have never wanted it. Both of my brothers have presented honorable tasks, and they will be much better suited for the throne. However, if you would allow it, I would like to assist brother Manazhar in his task, as I feel he speaks true and has the people's wellbeing in his heart."

Arhazar frowned. "Are you certain, my son?"

"Yes, Father, I am sure. I would be glad to step aside and faithfully serve whichever of my brothers ascends to your throne."

The look of pride and love on his father's face was unmistakable. He nodded. "Then, I will give you command of the ninth army to assist your brother."

"Thank you, Father." He bowed and sat down, but not before winking at an astonished Manazhar.

Sekaramal didn't like this development one bit. He openly sneered at his younger brother, though his sister was enjoying it a lot.

The master of ceremonies began. "Then with that—"

Rehia coughed loudly and stood. "Father, pardon my interruption, but seeing my brothers work so hard for our illustrious empire, I feel inspired to do something for the betterment of the people."

Arhazar squinted at her. "Speak plainly, Rehia."

"There is a plague infesting our borders. Well, to be precise, it is on the border, and they've grown rather bold, these past few years. I've been informed that the border villages are quite terrorized by them." She gave Meera a side-eyed look.

Meera frowned but didn't know where the princess was going with this. But then something irked her, as to why the sorceresses were here. It was connected, and she had a feeling the princess was about to unveil it all.

Rehia continued. "The Reverent Lady has a run-in with them already. After all, they made her life hell on Gethys. The plague I'm talking about is none other than the Cult of Aetheron. I plan on bringing down the Cult and riding the worlds and especially us off their malice."

The entire hall hushed. Even the people who had been chewing on their food stopped. She didn't hear anything save for the flicking of the torches' flames. Even those seemed to have stopped in their place.

Finally, the God King broke the silence. "This is absurd. The Cult is no simple enemy. Their leader is an immortal who has a veritable army of fanatics at his beck and call that will die for him in an instant. You think I haven't thought of destroying them numerous times. They've thwarted all efforts time and time again. You think you can just walk in there and they will lay down their arms just like that."

"Well, I never said it would be easy. I would need some help, of course." The princess was unfazed by her father's anger. Even her brothers were looking at their father with apprehension.

Meera didn't think the mild-mannered king could even get this angry, but he was red in the cheeks.

"You will get no help from me," Arhazar seethed. "Not a single soldier of Varsha will lift their sword to aid you. Trust me, daughter, I do not do this because you're a woman. I do this because you're my daughter, and I do not wish you dead at the hands of a man they say cannot be killed. Turn from this mad task that you have appointed yourself. Why are you even doing this? You know you cannot be the next God King, you have no claim to the throne."

Now, it was Rehia's turn to get angry. "Oh, believe me, Father, I know." Then her anger evaporated as if it had never been there. She smiled once more. "But I had a feeling you would say that. So, I brought my own help." She clapped her hands, and the last two people in the room that Meera wanted to see stood up.

Duinith and Firaan bowed to the God King.

Finally, it clicked why the sorceresses were here. The princess invited them because she knew her father would reject giving her any martial help. It also made sense why the princess had given them shelter, and now the sorceresses would repay that kindness. Rehia seemed to have read Meera's mind as she smiled at Meera before turning to her father.

"I'm sure Munral has informed you that I've given shelter to the remnants of the Sorceresses of Akhessai. When I informed them of my plan to rid the very people who brought the dragons to their doorsteps, they were eager to help me in my quest."

Arhazar looked at the sorceresses who squirmed under his gaze. Well, it was only Firaan who squirmed while the older sorceress held her head high. Though Meera would swear she was sweating under those heavy robes. After all, Arhazar projected such a deadly aura that half the nobles seemed like they wanted to run.

"A bunch of women who couldn't even hold their home will not be enough to take down the cult of that apocalyptic dragon," Arhazar snapped. "I can command you to stop this folly, Rehia. You will never be able to take down the Cult."

A conversation that she had with Lainor on top of the glacier popped into her head. He wanted her help to kill the Cult's leader. Then her conversation with Dara, about how he had heard that the Cosmarians had plans about her, which involved something to do with the Cult. The same Cult that had started everything on Gethys. If they hadn't lied to the dragons, the city of Drurith wouldn't have fallen, nor would the dragons have hunted her as if she were a rabid animal.

Here was the princess trying to wipe them off the face of the world. She had so expertly brought the sorceress to her fold to help her just for this. Meera couldn't help but wonder how long she had been preparing for this.

Rehia opened her mouth to counter, but Meera shot up out of her seat.

"Your father is correct, Your Highness," Meera said. "The Cult is too strong. I've been to the Pale Mantle, flown over the White Ember, and faced the Cult numerous times. Their Frostcaller Hierarch has many constructs at his command. You will need help, and I cannot believe the words are coming out of my mouth…I will aid you and your cabal of witches in taking down the Cult of Aetheron."

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