Lake of Souls Chapter 8

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When I opened my eyes I was surprised. I hadn't died and gone to the lake. Considering a giant tentacle was dropped on me this was confusing. Also I couldn't move my limbs. I craned my head side to side to see that I was nailed to some structure. Both of my arms and legs were nailed down by thick icicles. I looked down to see the Water King below me. He was a thin emaciated man. His hair is the color of dried out algae. I could see his ribs and count them even from my spot above him. He was pacing back and forth muttering to himself not looking at me. Finally I spoke, "Excuse me? Could you let me down please?"

His head snapped up so fast his crown almost fell off. His eyes were bloodshot to the point that it looked like he just had red eyes. His lips curled back into a snarl, "Finally awake Air King! Good, I was almost bored waiting on you." With that he snapped his fingers and the icicles melted. I dropped to the ground with a loud resounding thud. Pushing myself up I found that I could barely stand and if I tried to do more than slowly walk I was going to fall back over. We were in some sort of throne room though it was in absolute ruin. The only spot untouched by the devastation was a statue much like the one I had seen in the settlement with Curant. This statue was still in perfect condition, truly highlighting the fierce beauty of the Queen.

I took two timid steps forward hoping my legs wouldn't give out on me, "I'm not the Air King. Your war has been over for a decade now. It's time to let it go."

He flicked his wrist sending another icicle towards me which I managed to dodge but at the cost of falling on to my right side. He started walking towards me with a crudely crafted spear in hand, "How dare you lie to me? You come to my home. You raid my city. You kill my Queen! Then you have the audacity to claim you aren't who I clearly see you to be. Is there no depth that you will not sink to save your life and destroy mine?"

I forced myself back up again, my arms barely managing the effort. While I couldn't feel pain, the holes in my limbs were making it very difficult to do anything. My body was trying to die and heal itself as it normally would. But I couldn't let myself die just yet. This man in front of me had suffered for ten years, a pain far worse than my own day after day. I needed to free him from his agony and help him find peace. I stood again on shaking legs. My muscles protested against me as I spoke, "It's over. I killed the Air King. I destroyed his smug arrogant little body and claimed his soul. Your fight is done. You can be at peace now."

The Water King's eyes widened to the point that I feared they would pop out of his skull and screamed, "Stop lying to me! Stop tormenting me! You've taken the one person in this world I loved and suffocated the life from her. Haven't you done enough, you monster?" He fell to his knees weeping freely. His whole body being wracked with his sobs and his anguish.

Around him his powers began to let themselves loose. Water forming and dissipating around him. Ice forming on the ground around him springing forth miniature icicles. I tried to back away but ended up falling on my back when I heard a familiar voice, "My King. This man does not lie to you. He truly has defeated the Air King and drained away that villain's soul. Please your majesty, it is time to lay down your weapon and go to your Queen. She has been waiting ten long painful years for you to come to her. Your kingdom is dying and it can only be saved by you finding your love again."

I looked over to my left and saw the King's advisor I had been speaking to earlier. Both of his legs were tangled stumps that I could barely call legs anymore. He was dragging himself forward with a grimace of pain etched into his face. His breathing and voice were raspy filled with pain but also respect and reverence for his King. He looked at me and smiled, showing blood dripping from his mouth, "I told you before I couldn't die until he did. I can't allow myself to leave him alone."

The King's wailing finally stopped and he stood walking to the old man before kneeling down to him, "Alton my dearest friend. You are the only one I can trust anymore." The King's eyes seemed to suddenly take notice of Alton's legs and his wailing began again, "No no no! How could I have done this? Alton please forgive me! In my blind fury I have hurt you as well. The only person to remain by my side through this hell I live in."

Alton slowly and painfully reached a hand up wiping away the King's tears, "I am fine your majesty. I forgive you a thousand times over. I know that you would never seek to harm me. But it is time you forgave yourself. I know that the Queen has forgiven you. It is time. The Air King is indeed dead. His kingdom has descended into chaos and his subjects are scattered. There is nothing more that you can do. Go and let your Queen know that you are coming to her."

With those words the Water King stood up. Tall and proud for possibly the first time in ten years. As I watched him walk I could see him in his prime. A proud but gentle man. Capable of great fury but also great compassion. He was both the tidal wave and the calm sea. He walked to the statue kneeling before it, "My Queen. I've made you wait for ten long years while I destroyed everything we built. All because I was blinded by grief at my loss. But a brave warrior has slain your killer and helped bring clarity to my eyes. With that my time here is done and I come to you now." With those final words he slumped over on the statue. His body losing the last bit of life that had been holding it up all this time.

I could see his soul coming from him. Already it was trying to depart and go to his Queen. I closed my eyes not wanting to do what I knew I needed to do. I reached my hand out and pulled it to me. It started struggling trying to pull away from me but my power to control it was simply too strong. I pulled it into myself and whispered, "I'm sorry but I can't let you go just yet. I promise you though as soon as I can that I will."

My whole body began to convulse as if it were fighting itself. The Water King's soul trying to break free from me. My limbs began to twist and malform on themselves. My bones snapping and cracking as they did. I just kept repeating, "I'm sorry." Over and over again feeling that I deserved every moment of this.

Before I died once again I could hear the voice of Alton screaming, "You cruel monster!" With those words I woke up at the lake.

I could feel that my limbs were still knotted up. I could barely move my head but I could hear clapping from off to my right. The god walked over and knelt down to look at me, "My my. It seems the Water King had one trick left up his sleeve. He used the water in your body to twist you up and make you almost useless. However you're so close to your goal now. We can't let something as petty as a rebellious soul stop you, now can we?"

With that he tapped the symbol on my chest. I had forgotten it was there with all that happened. It began to glow brightly and I could feel my limbs slowly twisting back to their normal positions. In this moment I was truly glad I could not feel pain though the pressure of my bones snapping and realigning themselves was mildly uncomfortable. Once it was done I was able to move again though my body felt more fluid than before. I didn't have as much control of myself as I had before. I would have to retrain myself on how to use my own body.

I looked at the god as I started doing some exercises trying to get used to my body again, "What did you do to him? I hope you didn't damage his soul anymore than it already has been."

The god started laughing almost mockingly, "You do remember the part where he just tried to kill you or did he scramble your brains in the process? It's almost like you're starting to develop emotions for these people. But to answer your question. No I didn't harm his soul any farther, only forced it into compliance. Asserted my own will over it to make it calm down."

I finished with my movements looking at the lake watching the souls swimming, "Will I ever be able to let him be free? Something in me doesn't like doing this to him. I didn't want to take his soul but I knew that I needed to."

The god patted me on my back, "Don't worry my little puppet. He'll be free soon enough. But for now you should focus on finishing your journey. You only have one kingdom left. Go now and make your way to the life kingdom."

With that I blacked out again. As I opened my eyes I realized I was in the water. I could only assume upon the Water King's death his barrier disappeared. I looked around and could see the King's body as well as Alton's floating near me. I suddenly heard a familiar voice, "Holy hell you really are immortal!"

I turned around to see Curant grinning at me, "You actually did it! You killed the Water King and have freed us all. Thank you so much Xea. You have our eternal thanks. Already the waters are getting clearer and the predators are slowly getting back to normal. It will take time before we are truly back to normal but now we actually have that chance. So again from all of us in the water kingdom, we thank you."

I smiled weakly not wanting to tell him of everything that happened. Curant thought I was a hero and I didn't want to break that illusion. I glanced at the body of Alton remembering his final words. He was right after all like so many before had been. I am indeed a monster. I looked back to Curant, "Do you want to escort me to the border? Or do you need to get back to your family?" I chose not to tell him that I now had a mental map of the kingdom. If I could spend a little more time in his kind presence then I would.

Curant grinned and looked back behind him waving a hand. Slowly all of the sea goblins I had seen in the cave began to appear. Curant looked back to me, "We all will happy escort our savior to the border of the life kingdom. It's the least we can do for our savior." All of the sea goblins gathered around me. All of them thanked me in turn, remarking how big and strong I must have been to defeat the Water King. Curant finally intervened, "Alright alright. The man just came back to life. Let's all back off and take him to the border like he asked."

With that the sea goblins all started moving and gesturing for me to follow them. I swam after them with a smile basking in their joy and playfulness. They were completely different from when I had encountered them in the cave. Though I was still not happy with what had happened with the Water King, I couldn't deny the positive effects that had come from it. As we swam I noticed that indeed the water was becoming clearer. We swam by a number of the larger predators who also gave me their thanks. Most of them wouldn't even look at the sea goblins out of being mortified over their behavior.

We soon started heading up towards the surface of the water. I removed myself from a small group of children who were peppering me with various questions about my scars and swam up next to Curant, "Is there anything you can tell me about the life kingdom? What type of people they are or what their King is like?"

Curant shrugged slightly, "I've never left the kingdom and I've only met one of the traveling members of the life kingdom. They seem to be a really friendly type of people and have nothing but respect and adoration for their King. Other than that I don't really know anything. Sorry I can't be of more help."

I smiled at him, the sensation of it not feeling so forced anymore, "That's alright. Hopefully what you say is true and they are still those people. I assume we are getting close since we're heading for the surface."

Curant nodded, "Yes we are. Shouldn't be much farther before we reach the border. You'll go back up on to a beach like the one you met me at and just walk. Eventually you'll come across a town. If they are still the kind folk I've heard them to be then they'll probably take you straight to their King."

Shortly after we breached the surface of the water and I could see the strip of land up ahead. I turned to Curant, "Thank you for everything. You seemed an enemy at first and then you became the second person I could call a friend on my journey. I know that I helped save your kingdom but without you I don't know if it would have been possible. Once my journey is done and I have acquired my soul I will come back to see you. Farewell for now friend."

Curant's blue skin somehow managed to turn a slight shade of red from blushing, "It was no problem really. I'm just glad I could be of assistance to you Xea. Now go forth and claim your soul. I will see you soon enough I am sure." With that he turned and swam back down to his family. All of the sea goblins waved and bid me farewell and good luck before turning and swimming away. I hoped back to their old homes where they could rebuild their shattered lives and start moving forward.

I swam to dry land and started walking. As soon as I crossed the border I could feel an immediate change in the air. Everywhere there was the scent of things growing. Small trees and bushes dotted the landscape all framed in a rolling pasture. The sun shined brightly but not too much so and the heat from it was pleasant but not overbearing. I enjoyed the feel of the earth under my feet again taking my time as I strolled. Something about my experience in the water kingdom had left me with a deeper appreciation for these small things.

Eventually I did come to a village where many people were out and working. They all seemed to be enjoying themselves and having fun. When they saw me they all stopped what they were doing to watch me. I started to put my guard up when a boisterous voice called out, "He has arrived at last. The one known as Xea has made his way to our kingdom. Do not worry though Xea we only watch you out of curiosity, for our King has told us of your coming. A large dark being with a symbol on his chest and carrying the scars of a thousand lifetimes on his body. We will send word ahead of you to our King and let him know you have arrived. I'm sure he will want to do something to make you feel most welcome."

I relaxed but only slightly as a tall rotund man stepped out from the largest building in the village. He looked at a younger man also tall but much more athletically built, "Doran run my son. Run to the castle and let the Life King know that Xea has arrived." The rotund man chuckled, "Run as fast as you can. For I feel that if he tried Xea could outrun even you the swiftest of our village with relative ease."

Doran nodded, "Yes father I will leave at once." With that he turned and nodded to me briefly before taking off at a full sprint.

I looked at the man who had ordered Doran to go, "How far away is the castle? I do need to see the Life King as soon as possible."

The man chuckled again, his midsection bouncing in time with his laughter, "Only about half a day at a full run. Otherwise about a day of walking assuming one does not stop to smell the flowers. I know that you must see him. Every Life King since the first one has told his people of the day the vessel would come to kill him."

I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. The scene with the Water King was painful for me to write but necessary. What lies in wait for Xea next? If you did enjoy this then please heart, subscribe, and feel free to leave a tip. The next chapter as well as the original short story will be linked down below.

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