Chương 40: Chapter-40

"We are out of time," Tal whispered in her ear. Regina shivered. She hated when he did that, and he had been doing it more and more. She was in a carriage, riding between cities, when he heard him, clear as day.

"What does that mean?"

"It means that it is time for the world to end. I shall perform my father's Will. This time. Because I choose to."

"I don't understand," she objected.

"Ending the world? Why would you end the world after you worked so hard to conquer it?"

"I never cared about conquering the world. I only took steps to keep the options open for as long as possible. Now, however, the world is dying, and time is running out. I have heard my father's voice, and he has told me that it will not be long. Will you serve, Regina du Tal?" She swallowed.

"You want me to help you end the world?"

"It is not I that ends the world. It is I who will save it. By whatever tools are available to me, I shall save it. Regardless of how many I must kill to do so."

"What do you need from me?"

"An army awaits you at your destination," he informed her.

"You shall lead it."

"How did you get an army?"

"I did not select randomly this time. The entire city has been converted. The children have been delivered to the underworld, and the adults march to battle." She closed her eyes.

"What must I do?"

"Ride ahead of the army. Warn them that death comes for them if they do not flee. Tell them to pray for salvation from Vorulsht, and he shall guide them."

"I accept," she said.

"I was worried that you might not."

"You were worried?"

"Your cooperation is not required, but it will increase the number of lives saved dramatically. I cannot predict how many. But it is many."

"The world is really, truly ending?"

"Yes." Regina looked at her ring. She closed her eyes. So much for power and glory, and it was meaningless at the end. No. Not meaningless.

"I defy you, husband." If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

"What?"

"You are ending the world. I defy you. I shall not accept that the world is ending. I do not accept that you shall kill all souls. I defy you and I defy you and I defy you." She took off her ring and threw it out of the window of the carriage.

"What will you do?" he asked. She smiled.

"I shall tell the people that you intend to end all life, and that only Vorulsht can stop you. That they must pray to him for salvation and guidance." He was silent.

"I do not understand how that is defiance."

"The defiance is that I shall not be leading your army, husband. I shall be recounting your atrocities."

"To what end?"

"To frighten the people into submission."

"How is this an alteration to my instructions?"

"It makes me look better," she said honestly.

"And as I tell them all of the sordid details our marriage, they shall realize what a monster you are."

"You have been my collaborator every step of the way. Why would they—""You murdered my father! You threatened to murder me if I did not surrender! Every crime I committed was coerced by your threats, and the promises that you would do worse if I did not capitulate. Well no further! I defy you." The air went still.

"As you will." She swallowed. Would he understand? Could he understand? He said the world was ending. She believed him. She prayed. And an old man answered her prayers.

"I am not Vorulsht," the old, kindly looking man said.

"I am…lonely and I thought I would go for a walk. But I heard the name of a friend of mine and I thought I would come answer." Regina stared at the apparition in shock.

"Who are you?"

"Someone who is both young and old. The great serpent eating its tale. Call me Oroboros."

"Is what my husband says true? Is the world ending?"

"Yes. If you would flee to safety, I shall give you a map. The underworld will be safe. It shall not end with the world of the surface." Before her, a map unlike she had ever seen appeared in lights. She had gotten used to magic, but had never seen it like this before. There were three red dots and one green that was flashing.

"The red dots are the entrances. Vorulsht, as one of his final acts, has throne them wide open and will accept everyone. Vorulsht, as one of his final acts, shall close them. There the people of this world shall remain safe while the surface melts, the sky burns, and the seas boil."

"Oroboros. I plead of you. Spread this word to others." He blinked at her.

"Why do you think I have gone for a walk?" he asked.

"I am listening for prayers. I have not done that in a very long time. Longer than I have been alive." He turned, and appeared to walk away, vanishing into mist that wasn't there. She opened the window and looked at the driver. It was Po. Of course it was Po.

"Would you perhaps change our direction?" she asked.

"I need to go to a different city." The strange Inalten was silent for a moment. Then, when they arrived at the crossroads, he hesitated.

"Why do you hesitate?" she asked him.

"I do not know which one to choose."

"Any direction is fine except south."

"Then I shall go south." She shouted in frustration and got out of the carriage before he could get the horses going again. Frustrated, she looked at the signs and tried to figure out which city was closest.

"I wish I still had that map," she said. It appeared before her. She blinked in surprise. Did she…did she still have magic?

"I wish my dress were a different color." Her dress changed color from black to white. Was the ring unnecessary all along? Was it only meant to keep her under surveillance? Hurring, she set off at a swift walk, tearing the hem of her dress deliberately when it got in her way. She frowned.

"I wish my dress were a style fit for jogging." The fabric changed shape, and soon she was dressed not in a dress at all, but a pure white suit that covered her from neck to toe. It would do for now, she thought. And she took off at a jog, determined to spread the word that her husband had finally gone mad.