Spirits

Lucius stood over the still form on the bed, his chest tightening with frustration. this was not her. The blade had chosen Athena once, but now it refused to be unsheathed by this stranger.

"Kael," he commanded, his tone sharp and cutting. "Go to the Prophetess. Tell her the ritual failed. The soul is incorrect."

Kael's hesitation was brief, but Lucius caught it. "Your Highness, Prophetess Kim is still recovering from yesterday's ordeal. She may not—"

"I did not ask for your assessment of her condition," Lucius snapped, his gaze icy. "She must try again. Go now."

Kael bowed low, the movement rigid. "Yes, Your Highness." He turned on his heel and strode away, his heavy boots echoing in the tense silence.

Lucius turned to the maidservant lingering at the edge of the room. "You are to speak of this to no one," he ordered, his voice quieter but no less firm. "As far as the court is concerned, she remains in a healing trance. Do I make myself clear?"

The maid nodded quickly. "Yes, Your Highness."

"Good. Don't stay too far away from this room. If she stirs, notify me—and only me."

The maid hurried out, leaving Lucius alone with the imposter. He stepped closer to the bed, his jaw tightening as he studied her face. Her features were perfect replicas of Athena's, yet the essence—the fire that had once burned in his queen's soul—was missing.

A sudden clatter in the corridor broke the silence, and Lucius turned just as the door burst open. His daughter, Princess Ariel, rushed in, her small face alight with excitement.

"Father! Is it true? Is Mum awake?"

Lucius's heart twisted. He crouched to meet her at eye level, his expression softening despite the ache in his chest. "Ariel, who told you that?"

The child hesitated, twisting the hem of her dress. "I... I heard Maid Tae say it."

He sighed, resting a hand on her shoulder. "Your mother is still unwell, my darling. She needs more time to recover."

Tears welled in Ariel's eyes. "But when will she wake up? I want her up, Father."

Lucius swallowed the lump in his throat and forced a small smile. "Soon, Ariel. You'll see her soon. But for now, you should be in your lessons."

Reluctantly, Ariel nodded and turned away, casting one last hopeful glance at the bed before leaving. Lucius rose, his expression hardening as he addressed the guards who had followed her.

"How is it," he said coldly, "that my daughter outran trained soldiers?"

The lead guard stepped forward, bowing deeply. "Apologies, Your Highness. It won't happen again."

"It had better not," Lucius replied, dismissing them with a wave of his hand. "Bring Generals Asher, Rider, and Gideon to my study immediately."

---

In the study, the air was heavy with tension. The three generals stood at attention as Lucius paced behind his desk.

"The spirits," he said finally, his voice low, "are they contained?"

Rider shook his head. "No, Your Highness. They've gone to ground. There hasn't been a sighting in weeks."

Lucius stopped pacing, his hands gripping the edge of the desk. "Cowards," he muttered. "Athena sacrificed everything to bind those spirits, and now they scatter like vermin."

He turned to the generals, his expression hard. "You understand what's at stake. Athena's death allowed them to break free. They will come for this kingdom again—it's only a matter of time."

Gideon stepped forward, his face grim. "With respect, Your Highness, do you truly believe the ritual can succeed? Bringing her back…" He hesitated. "It may be beyond our reach."

Lucius's jaw tightened, and for a moment, the mask of a king slipped, revealing the grief and desperation beneath. "It has to succeed," he said quietly. "The kingdom needs her. I need her."

He opened a small box on the desk, revealing a crystal that glowed faintly in the dim light. It was the last fragment of Athena's power, the relic she had left behind. Lucius stared at it, drawing strength from its light.

"Asher," he said without looking up, "double the patrols near the forest. Rider, increase surveillance in the eastern villages. Gideon, ensure the barrier spells around the capital are reinforced. I don't want so much as a shadow slipping past our defences."

The generals saluted in unison. "Yes, Your Highness."

"And one more thing," Lucius added, his gaze still fixed on the crystal. "Find them. Flush the spirits out of hiding. I don't care how long it takes or what it costs. Do not return empty-handed."

The men nodded and left, their faces set with determination.

---

Alone once more, Lucius let out a slow, shaky breath. He picked up the crystal, its faint warmth a cruel reminder of the woman he had lost. Athena's laughter echoed in his memory, followed by the image of her lifeless body after she had given birth to Ariel.

Ten years had passed, but the pain was as sharp as ever. He clenched the crystal tightly, his resolve hardening. Athena had been more than his queen. She had been the kingdom's shield, ever since she had become his queen and trapped the deadly spirits. Without her, the kingdom was vulnerable as those spirits were now free and worse they had gone into hiding and they could strike at any time.