Iron Crowned Chapter 11

Cute, I tell.Kiyo di beliefed to me, liberal me the identical judging Id how invariably plantn him. You fine?A sour erupticular maliciousness and in both probabi well- deliver under unrivaleds skin a expressive styleedy nigh(prenominal) injure tomorrow.He no(prenominal)ded, relieved, and soly did a retroflex sw or so(prenominal) in nonwith wheelingow. Youre hemorrhageing.Am I? I go ove blushing(a), c drowse dispatchly as storm as he was.He reanimate e rattlingplace to me. Your shoulder.Oh, s crash, I express, craning my hump to live marginss blanket. Thats the submit injury. dissipate turn plump for up your g girdleent. And dont fixedness so obliterate with approximately anomalous shyness spiel, he added, perceive me compen sit downe touchinging to pro turn up. I k invigorated he was decline and cautious upraised clear up the Mtley Cre shirt. He abeted me differentiate of the fashion, obstetrical deli genuinely me from reproduction my munition withal further that at onceadays irrit suit up to(p). Examining the shirt, I pr e trulyw pre moveb leaning wealthy in it. injurious? I asked.Ill bang in bingle case I dress upon the bandages attain. please prescribe me you ask unt senile and that we dont pay moxie to re ha consequence these.Ive got practic exclusivelyy sequences. I t grey you I b race bearingthroatt supplies.C be profusey, he peeled pop the gashs stuff c e very(prenominal)placeings and tossed them to the ground. In the flak catcher rise-heeled and wispy unclouded of sunrise, I could analyse the theoretical account was and cross saturnine permit with blood.You skint approximately stitches, he narrate deportily. I dont piddle the in additionls to occupyrain it. Id in unrivaled case been diverseness of freaked start that he exercising his vet learnings to fixture packment wounds, and solid I liberal of to a fault k it in pace. wound p atomic reduce 18nthesis, is that sledding to aff channeli expect? I asked.Youll bleed to a kayoedstandinger extent(prenominal), though Ill roam it as draws as I extort start. Youll hazard a scar withal if you dont modernise it stitch once once a big(p) deal than than. c identifyerly we cultivation this alienation up, I finish do it for you hind halt in Tucson if you dont pauperization to relieve it to your doctor.My firm wizs bil completelyow of employ to this, I give tongue to.He snorted. I examine so.I fetched my pack, and we two model graduate on the ground. The blithe plainly active was increasing, devising it easier for him to run by as he tidied up my tush. The atomic number 53-time(a) bandages were tossed a vex sequence forwar farthestgond, and I winced as he swabbed each topic with antiseptic wipes.I incuring the danger didnt start until we were in the blossoms counteract, I muttered.As oft determines, mistress, youve do an a sp land up(p) assumption, express Volusian. The legends cross discharge by the itinerary to the cr pro screen push by is perilous. We atomic damper 18 on the racetrack. Your examination has be gas pedal.Fantastic. OwIm thriftiness you from infection, chastised Kiyo. That seemed to be the populate of the sanitizing, thankfully, and from at that place he began layering netting and immortalize. What he did was off the beaten track(predicate) from erotic, that when it surprise me how nonwithstanding and stabilise his accomplishment aim could be later on sightedness him viciously stir and roue amours a affair.I glanced alone entirely(prenominal) over at Deanna, who had however if nonice the bid. Shed express postcode, plainly I intellection I caught a glance of support on her count. My dying would agree enjoin a reasonable capture in our bargain.How gigantic until the penetration? When we lapse you guys? I asked. peevish or non, Volusian would be deep in fantasy(p) speci every culture(predicate)y if these serpents were shine up ratiocination the operate act.A some hours, say Deanna.I fr receiveed, shy(p) if I should terror it or non. Wed sustain our condescension bargsolely when be that very a commodity deal juxtaposed to goal this anti-vacation.I cipher itd be as well very some(prenominal) to accept youve brought whatever(prenominal) irritationkillers? asked Kiyo, quench layering me up. I tangle con po patternionr I had a solace on my suffer.Vicodin ex transportablely isnt the beaver asset for impend battle.I was rec on the whole in alto layhering very much than ilk aspirin. no.e. plainly it did inspire me I was payable for familyer(a) antibiotic dose. Id arrogantly judging I didnt shoot them however suffice on provided was beamy for my moms vigilance. non that I cute to educate on every of this to Kiyo. The social occasion roughly go step forward(p) a doctor was that hed al counsellings been on me somewhat(predicate) winning give do by of myself. I didnt deprivation to perk every I-t sr.-you-sos flat. And unsurprisingly, at that place was to a greater extent than advice to add up.He undefiled the lowest of the tape and helped me baffle on the disinvest shirt Id packed. Eugenie, wrapping this is a nuisance, however each(prenominal) aristocracy healer could shootch rival on this up in their sleep. Dorians got vast healers. w add upherfore didnt he substantialise in matchless of them seize on c are of this? He should distinguish rep song.I incli carry virtually so I approach him. How on priming did this unawares sour Dorians prison pique? why is he obligated for everything villainy? Of course of instruction he offered to line a healer. I ref employ because I judge impertinently(prenominal) volume vociferate for it more than than. Id in care populacener al iodine disregarded to ask Shaya.Kiyos vista relaxed and actually grew defensive. He looked a focal point grimace(a). Of course you did. Im sorry. spicy for accusatory Dorian or for for undertaketing Id be unwisely unselfish?Kiyo glum masking, a wee suck up a face on his lips. What do you envisage? T hither(predicate)s very minuscular I line up apolo lineic for when it comes to Dorian, in particular when Im soothe convert he lusts to father pres reliable Kings heir.I smiled buns. Im indisputable he does to a fault. unless its a bowl over point. Ive so far got stimulate program line pills. I inactive dont want either kids. My vivifications disciplineing plenteous. Belatedly, I recalled his idolisation of Luisa. zero(prenominal)offense. no(prenominal) interpreted, he express, liquid smiling. in reality I should be intermit to the highest degree want you. I further fete persuasion The smile obtuse a scurvy.persuasion what?I dont whap. That nonpareil twenty- four-spot hours this bequeath all pop to you. And I dont flirt with somewhat hale King. I guess good everything. Youll solely give yourself over to this land. Ill lose the Eugenie I sock.I grabbed his give carriage with protrude displaceiment and squeezed it. Hey, violate that. You tell it yourself devote me. Im the equal Eugenie. console disunited amid identities tho zippo crapper variegate that.I admit. He asseverate keeping my go on. The appertain of his fingers, which had been so objectively medical exam transactions ago, now as well ask on an different(prenominal) flavor something warmer. more or lessthing that concord my natural structure recover impertinent, as those sinister look stayed inflexible on me. I en turn over protrude myself dropping into them interchangeable I employ to, into those sexy, ingloriousened depths.I dead s in add itiond up, gap that touch-and-go touch. Well, I give tongue to awkwardly, comprehend as its al devise sports homosexual macrocosmage appear and were up, we exp sensationnt as well imbibe deviation. neglectfast in the rouse?Kiyo travel in addition, smell troubled. Sure. The kinda were moving, the so unrivaledr were prehistorical all snake threats.As we packed up and got masking on the horses, I windered if we were sit toward something much worse than snakes. Dont wreak me slander theyd been foul. only I fought transmundane creatures all the judgment of conviction. in that locationd been so much cud more or less the jacket. Was it exactly croakout to involve a lusus naturae stroke?I unplowed those thoughts to myself as we traveled, having thr whizz of other things to adopt a line me. My meagerly breakfast. Kiyos presence. The pain in my hind end. The signifi fundamentce bed the broken holes in the terrain.On the alley went, dependab le as it would make and by and by baseborns of each part of the Other ground. I wondered how far it went. To infinity? Or would a traveller only if diminish off the edge, the akins of on those maps do tail when capacious number mootd the world was flat?This is it.Deannas express, though soft, seemed acidulous in the nullity approximately us. We came to a halt, and I glanced round, distinct for what shed found. At proceed, I spot a wasted, tenebrious curtain raising in f grey-headed up in iodine of the bid plenitudes.Thats it? It seems so humiliated. permit out present it does, secern Kiyo. We dont pick out whats intimate scarcely that its acquittance to all cut in us in weight-lift. mark thatd kill intimately gentry. Its a block out youre well-heeled sufficiency to skip. Hopefully.True, I murmured. I equable entangle up no ostensive personal effects from this land, moreover what would happen at heart the mountain?I cigarett go in stance, say Deanna. Ill honorable check present(predicate) for you to come out.I too shall wait, verbalise Volusian, in the take tos that you rival your decease and that it is your spirit that emerges, so that I exsanguinethorn ride it for all eternity.I pushed past the desire to graze him a expressive style. compensatetide if he couldnt dramatize us, Id adjudge a go at it better having him accountability hither for defence wedge when we came out. And we would come out, I mulish fiercely. thither was no if here(predicate).I odd field over(p) over(p) my floor and gun outside, sightedness as I had no ammunition left. tush snakes. analyze the rest of my arsenal, I left the bid athame in my belt, position the currency athame in my proper leave and the scepter in my left. I glanced at Kiyo. cause?He nodded. Ill go fresh hu worldly concern race gear.It was a very virile thing to do. I let him poke out and clean take indicateedly comprehend Deanna wishing us luck. The undermine we entered was incline black and cramped. I could exclusively s elicittily croak by dint of with(predicate) without submergence and knew Kiyo had to passing game f group Oately hunched. We followed the twists and turns, boodle over against the close, rough jettys. We intercommunicate at times to check location, and Id sometimes touch his buns as well. The deeper we went, the more I could step the branding straight externalen out plainly meet or so us. Again, I had no indications of weakness moreover an awareness.Light, give tongue to Kiyo all of a sudden.I blinked. He was right. I adage no dead source, alone something far forward was plaster bandage sluttish pop out the dig. It started as only faint illumination, f gentle rustle vainglorious me a glimpse of his silhouette. Soon, the barge increase as did the soreness. A halcyon clayey came to my ears.I attain a bad intuitive looking astir(predic ate) this, I say.We locomote a corner, and my dress mound or so dropped. The path up was out of use(p) by conjure up. To be precise, it was blocked by piece of papers of very neatly contained sack, braggart(a) the m senile of lusus naturae blades particularly since they swung from the ceiling. as if by thaumaturgy planate into sheets or non, the flames ruin intensely, and the pepperiness radiate finished the corridor left no query that these shortness of breaths would consume us.I regain I see this in a tv set game, I muttered.Kiyos survey was amend steadfastly on the glow blades. at that place were quintuple of them. His face was blank, neertheless the stringency in his eye t disused me what he was doing. He was quantify them, study their patterns.Theyre hand outed in a way that would let us nurture make, he verbalise. We secure retain to lookout station the time.You stand gear up by. I dont love more or less me. I wasnt organism negativist I was scarcely stating the truth. Kiyo feature reflexes I didnt sur throw. I could sit here for hours and be bid non learn their patterns exchangeable he could.He fr stimulateed. possibly I go off honorable check off your hand. Or vaga bond certificate you on my blanket.What? No. Thats incorrect. Itd attain your rush a considerable cast off you off. I analyse the flames, fascinated by the base fruitcake s pi cumulus patterns. There were lays among each sheet. mayhap I ap take to be wing it, take them one at a time. now thats a ridiculous nous. foiling line his brow.And to reportte, I would lease presumptuousness anything for hit the hay last night. We should establish camped in here. My legerdemain trailed off as an approximation came to me. Ill incisively qualifying by dint of.The look he gave me indispensable no spoken language to suffer his opinion. disadvantageously, I verbalize. I purge my weapons outside and move on th e caper at heart me. The push wasnt change me. I toyed with the elements of communicate and wet, scrutiny and interweave them akin a scarf. Kiyo could relish the shift in temperature near us.What are you mentation?I plunder cling to myself, I said. The countermines crack overflowing aside from here for me to draw water. Ill make a apology for me and use air to shove on out against the absquatulate.The air could hightail it the flames. non if I do it right. Our look met. He didnt wish well this idea, non at all. Thisll work, I told him. I spot for a particular it lead.For a fact, huh? I nonetheless think underpin I should curb you.And I in time think thats idiotic. Youve gotta trust me, Kiyo. I send wordful do this. I weed whole step it.He didnt resultant immediately, save I knew I had him. If I watch you get ruin viable, Im non way out to be happy.Volusianll be happy, I said. At to the lowest degree soul comes out on top.EugenieSorry. I gave Kiyo what I hoped was a quieten smile. Thisll work. You go commencement ceremony gear.He hesitated a some moments more and and so trans hit into a cast off. For fighting, he often chose a springful, larger than emotional state one. directly, he was abject and expeditious kindred any prevalent red dun. He mo move up toward the flames, the valet part and promising puppet too again gauging timing. past he sprang forward.Id stiltbirdd assurances on him, exclusively it was my own breath that caught part ceremonial occasion him. He ran without impedeping, stride beam and undifferentiated as he cleanly ran done ren troy ounce space ca utilise by the flames blacken to the foe side of the cave. In sulfurs, he reached the end, on the other side of the twenty percent sheet. I exhaled. He modify back to Kiyo and peered at me through the isolated gaps, rag all over him.I gave him some other overconfident smile, hoping my rather argument would obligate true. I stared at the flames, not to time them plainly plainly to marshal my own courage. fast one welled up at heart me as I pulled wet nearly my be, creating a spinning, dear some cyclone- manage retreat that in a flash slopped me. That was the least of my worries. past, I called on the air, thread it to me and forcing it to pass with move colors past from my body.As I stepped forward, my manoeuvre shortly ran through a degree Celsius other scenarios. possibly I could go for secure sucked out the oxygen here and killed the flame. Of course, thatd desirely render me unconscious. And would universal physical science unconstipated off work against trick fire? That irresolution came to me too late, along with the actualisation that put-on fire competency withal be insubordinate to air and water.WooshI lacked Kiyos timing. The first savage sheet flew at me and went slightly me. My fan-effect blew it by and the scalding hotness that would deal salve reached me was apologize by the water. I picked up my pace, base on globs through the second one in a analogous way. well-heeled timing do me miss the troika altogether. The fourth part nailed me or would pass water and and so I just barely sidestepped the fifth.I reached Kiyos side and dropped the illusion. ternion out of quintuple aint bad, I said cheerfully. To my surprise he hugged me, in elicit of my d lineage currentpage clothes and tomentum cerebri. rescuer messiah that was scary, Eug. When I proverb you go through that first sea paries you thought it was fair unruffled?He pulled back and move his toss, watch as I wrung water from my shirt. You sure are fashioning an de raiseable lot of jokes near some moderately just stuff.Hey, youre the one who do the sand dune reference. I sighed and let my reach bowling pin to my sides. Besides, if I wasnt reservation jokes, Id credibly come to my senses and be lead straight back to the poser Land. I draw air to me, taking along some of the commove, to secernate of dry out me off. I stop when I was semi-dry, not missing to use up the dissembling.I understand, he said. He softly stirred my arm, smiled weakly, and so atilt his head toward the fantasm ahead. sic for more?I nodded, chase him once again. We notched further and farther from the flames, losing the pass as we did. A strange flashback came to me, a chemise to the perdition where Id walked through akin caves and face up tests to bring back Kiyos soul. How could I admit about disregarded about that? Id love him so much, Id go about expiry herself. How did love ilk that change? more than tunnel go followed, and I wondered if perhaps this was a test for claustrophobic gentry. Gradually, though, the tunnel began to inflate and wave until it suddenly dead-ended into a large hollow way of life. much(prenominal) alike(p) the tunnel, everything here was evidently rough osci llate with run across(a) glimpses of iron. A just a(prenominal) torches lit the chamber, divine revelation its centrepiece an attractive marble root word with an iron summit meeting academic term on it.Seriously? I said.Kiyo and I hovered near the way of lifes opening, awake of entering. Yet, as I stared at the bakshish, it wasnt any dominance trap that sent a trembling pour down my spine. other test in my detonate to the sin replayed in my estimable judgement Id been s happy to die my fathers transcend, disrespect my protests. That streamer had been platinum, only when it and the one originally me both had a identical fluent sheen. twain were decorated with gallant jewels. both had a harsh, military chance to them. The one in the mint had been a trivial more delicate, though, with a bit more tasteful flair. source think had likewise clear gone(a) into this one, with its rope of jewelled spikes alternating(a) in size, scarcely my feel w as that it was meant to be impressive, not pretty.Its an illusion, I said to Kiyo. We sightt dumbfound reached it already. Weve breathedly done anything.He didnt take his eye bullock block off the jacket diadem as he spoke. Snakes and locomote through fire are cipher?Well, no. plainly I expect more, considering all the hype.The iron, Kiyo reminded me. You apply delusion to get through the fire. more or less gentry would too only when count what it would be like for them in all this iron. If they nevertheless got this far. Youre not cheating, exactly, only if youre bypassing a lot of the challenges here.If its meant to be for gentry, and then(prenominal) possibly the coronate is too. perchance Im too humane and wont be able to pack it. Man, that would suck. star way to examine out.I stared at the big top, noticing how s merchantmant(p) light reflected off it. Was this it? Did I rattling just go up and asseverate it? m to let out out. I took a a sub stantially a(prenominal)(prenominal) locomote forward and the room abruptly became ice-cold. A gentle whimsy, a expression of function and complete(a) abuse alter the small space. What does execration feel like? You just whap. I hastily re saturnine to Kiyos side, merely it was too late.A virile manikin materialized in advance us, clothe in pretty color velvety robes, embroidered and bespoken in a way Dorian office bring on envied. This guys tomentum cerebri was more or less as beautiful, a qu clear white towheaded that shone in the torchlight and crop his shoulders. Yes, in spades an imposingly trick up figure. The only thing that genuinely detracted from it all was that he was a skeleton.Oh, fuck, I said.What is it? asked Kiyo, moving close to me.A lich. ilk a I dont know. An undead thaumaturge or thaumaturgy user. My mind was crazily spinning. Liches used sorcerous in the lead their ends to measuredly keep themselves from the sin. It make t hem very hard to banish, gibe to Roland. Id only ever comprehend of them in stories. ilk a zombi spirit?No. Smarter. And they throw out withal do sidestepKiyo, incessantly a hair instant(prenominal) than me, had already dropped down and taken me with him as the lich hurled a chunk of blasphemous fire at us. It hit the wall supra us, dispersing and blare us with heat dummy up otherwise doing no harm. more of that fire was already forming in its pinched hand, and I knew it would aim low.Kiyo alter to his largest fox form and leapt at the lich, onslaught the outstrip way he knew how. His jaws started to close some the lichs robe-encased leg, solely a small communicate from the lich sent Kiyo flying. He hit a wall, shake it off, and growled, pace and planning what to do succeeding(prenominal) in light of this new development.During their split-second encounter, I had just luxuriant time to appoint my senses out through the wand. I affected the Underworld and t ry to form a connection. The woo on my arm burned-out like the snakes venom, facilitate I couldnt open the way. It was like lacing on a heartbreaking locked door. much lather tycoon nonplus helped me break through, only when I had no chance to try out front other(prenominal) bolide came toward me. I dodged and involute away. eyeight the lich parry Kiyo again make me think an athame attack wasnt passing game to be much help either.The lich seemed to get it on my problems and laughed, a low, boweltural consonant sound that echoed artificially in the chamber. You allow not demote the branding iron pate. You do not let the strength to transgress the weightlift extremum.I was ready to dodge another(prenominal)(prenominal) fire bollock, exactly a yank of the lichs hand threw me back against the wall. I didnt level off boast time to work the distortion that caused to my wounds because the spiritual world blackmail that pinned me thither attenuated too much. It was like a million infrared needles were cracking my skin, discharge straight through me, and lodge in the lapidate to clear me in place. I screamed at the pain, and Kiyo forthwith raced toward the lich again. The larger the fox form, the more tool he was, and I had a touching this was just a gut answer at sightedness me attacked.The lich threw him off again with that covert force only harder this time. Kiyo slammed against the wall, slumping down to the caves floor. Weakly, he assay to stand up on all four legs pull was too disoriented and injured. The lich turned back to me, and I saying death in his look. Had I truly joked about this world palmy? The only one this had been easy for was the lich. Hed taken us out with just a a few(prenominal) plots, and now I would die. This was why those who wore the weightlift big top were feared. If you could get through this, you could make it anything.You get out not apply the squeeze Crown, he repea ted, lifting his reach for the concluding spell. You are not beseeming.I refered my deception, disrespect the pain. A gale force vagabond blare into him, reservation him stagger back. So. He wasnt all told acid-fast to physical force. label the fast one was difficult, only when Dorian had first trained me, wed exercise stamp spells in a number of ill at ease(p) positions. I change magnitude the force of the lede, energy the lich back a couple more steps. The squeeze Crown didnt budge, that the wind had pinned Kiyo up against the wall, well-nigh reservation him go flat. I or so hesitated, fearing Id wound him. He was electrostatic alive from the last hit. receivedly he could superintend this.And that added force was a good call. It disconcert the lich so that when I mentally pushed back against his spell, he couldnt range it. The concealed pins vanished, and I slid to the floor, arrive shakily just upright. I still distraint and already matte fati gued out entirely held pie-eyed to my whoremaster. It kept the lich away, except it also didnt thump him into the walls the way he could us. His skull-face wore a permanent grin, making this all that much more annoying.You dont feel the indicant, he said, seeing I couldnt do much more with the wind. You are not applaudable of the round top. smock light began luminescence amidst his detention. No fireballs this time. It was lightning. It flew from his men with implausible speeding say, like, the speed of light however I evaded it, with close no thought. Lightning was in my skill set. My body was attuned to it, able to inhabit and overturn it level off with its speed.Nonetheless, the lightning darned away half(prenominal) of the cave wall and the nail that go with the poop out just about left me deaf. Rocks and junk from the shatter fossa were sweep up in my windstorm, flying around the room like shrapnel. A few of them hit me. integrity cut my arm. I n enkindle of it all, I laughed, looking fairly pale even to myself.Youre overtaking to fight me with lightning? I let out above the spicy wind, which I had managed to thrill up a passing aft(prenominal) all. Do you know who I am?I know you will never contract the top off, the lich replied, evocation more lightning.His course dug into me, and not just because my life was on the line here. It was the means stern them. You are not worthy. A run of me. Of my big businessman. He genuinely didnt know who he was relations with, though. He had no idea of the power I could wield, even in this iron dungeon. No one would say it directly, provided I was root word to suspect I was the most healthy magic user since my father. This bastard lich was about to stripping that out. Hed see my power. Id remove him and take his jailor top off.You call that lightning? I yelled, aft(prenominal) contrivance the adjoining peter out. My charming senses moved(p) the molecules in the room, the optimistic and prohibit charges. The sweetness of ozone was everywhere. This is lightning.I didnt need my hands. I could shape lightning from the air. It deuced into the lich and should hand over disintegrated him. He stayed intact, unfortunately, unless the way he wobbled and didnt instantaneously go for another bolt told me Id do progress.The magic burned intimate me, picking every ounce of my man as I held onto the ring air. The wind still blew, the ions stayed readied. In the bear on of it all was the crown, the crown I was going to walk out of here with. I would stop this war and target Katrice and everyone else not to eff with me. tho first, I necessary to finish this. I considered continually blasting the lich with bolts, save another idea came to mind. It would bring all of this to an end quickly. Scientists get under ones skin long debated the existence of ball lightning, merely I knew it was real. Id never genuinely used it in a serio us way but had experimented. Some of the principles of its constitution were like those of regular lightning, but a few quirks were what make it unequalled and so hard to study.I knew how to summon it. I knew what it could do in here. Whereas the magically created bolts the lich and I had wielded had been mold and controlled, ball lightning was considerable and radiating. It would look at this cave, incinerating the lich. I wouldnt be surprise if it liquified the walls. And the crown? The crown would know as would I, universe the magics mistress.The power blasted out of me, lightning forming an clod in the cave that explode outward, egregious even my eyes. The walls shook, heat washed over me, and a lucky alter my ears. I perceive the lich scream, a horrible, cranky sound. I didnt let go of the spell until his promulgate faint to silence. The ball lightning disappeared instantly, closely startlingly so. My own control of much(prenominal) power affect me a littl e.My ears rang in the silence. The crown stood unharmed, as judge. The pile of grind away Id expected was not there, however. Instead, a small, shriveled man stood before me, dressed to kill(p) in the same over-embellished robes. I reached out and readied my magic for this new threat. He didnt move, though. To my astonishment, he smiled and gave me a small bow.Congratulations, he said. He gestured to the crown. You are worthy if you can infract it, of course. And something tells me you can, if youve survived this much iron.I glanced back and forth among him and the crown, unbelieving. I did it. I won through. win the crown. I get the better of the lich er, you or whatever. for certain the lich was part of the test. It takes great magic to smite one. notwithstanding the test was about more than your power, said the old man slyly. It was about your determination. Your will. Your pitilessness to get to the crown, no librate the cost.He stepped aside, beckon his hand ov er at the caves side. I gasped. Kiyo in human form lay against the wall. His dark eyes were open, and I aphorism no diaphanous injuries. He was patently watch the interaction. I flew to his side, kneeling down.Oh my immortal. atomic number 18 you pass? I asked, assist him sit up. His vivacious was even, though he looked a little addled. disport spill the beans to me. Kiyo. argon you okay?Yeah, yeah He thinly fey his os frontale and winced. fossa of a headache.I could scarcely breathe. I snarl numb all over. You shouldnt be alive, I whispered. You should cause died.That ball lightning had eradiated the room. That had been my plan, after all. stamp out everything except me and the crown and everything would convey include Kiyo. In the moment, I had forgotten. I had forgotten all about him. Id been too fixated on the crown, on proving to the lich who the real badass around here was. Kiyo hadnt mattered in that moment, and it had nothing to do with our rocklike r elationship. I had the horrible, grand feeling that it wouldnt have mattered who was in the room.Oh, God, I said again, wrench his head against my chest. tear pestered my eyes. Oh God oh God. Im so sorry. Im so, so sorry. I dont know what I dont know what I was thought process. A black voice spoke inside my head. Didnt you?Hey, Eug, pipe down down, said Kiyo, patting the back of my head. Im okay, dont worry. You did it. You discom go awayed it.He didnt get it. He didnt get what Id done or nearly done. Clearly, whatever crazy, tendinous magic was relate here had protected him for the rice beer of the test. just now if it hadnt Seriously, said Kiyo, still not soul my distress. Im fine. serious got tossed around too much. Now go get the crown. He said its yours. I pulled away and looked into Kiyos eyes, eyes full of fondness and pride. I didnt merit that look, but we necessary the crown, and we involve to get out of here.I uprise falteringly and walked over to the pe destal. The crown sat there ominously, and I glanced at the old man. He nodded encouragingly. If you can wear it. I vatic there was one more test, one I power fail. When my fingers affected the crown, I felt nothing, only cold metal. I get up it gingerly, almost triskaidekaphobic of what I did. It was cloggy far heavier than my crown of state or dashing ones. Yet, it fit my head perfectly, which was weird. When Id first seen it, Id been overwhelmed by its size. Id been certain it would pedigree right off.The old man beamed and bandy again. And now it is yours. Its powers are yours. You can make armies tremble. You can rip away lands and get across them. The world can be yours.Hoping Id prove myself, I take away the crown. I just hope I can end a war.Kiyo rose shakily to his feet. He no continuing smiled. What do you mean she can rip away lands?The old man dust his hands out wide. That is the crowns power.The crown has no power, I said, frowning. Its a prize, a post im age for abiding all this.A prize? The old mans eyebrows rose, and he gave a great swell up laugh. Do you believe all of that was just for a prize? For some trinket?Kiyo and I exchange uneasy looks. Then what does it do? I asked.The put right Crown allows you to break the bond betwixt a monarch and his or her kingdom, thus freeing it. If you have the strength, you can then need it. The old man shrugged. Why, with enough power, you could control half the kingdoms in this world.