The Broken Blades Trilogy, #3
Three Shattered Souls
by Mai Corland
Contents
Chapter Seven
Overview
Mikail buries his father’s donkey at the ruined homestead and concludes Qali guards captured Ailor. Sora presses to visit Gain, and Mikail reveals Daysum’s death, shattering their trust. As Mikail resolves to continue despite grief and Sora’s anger, Aeri is found inexplicably frozen, signaling a new, immediate threat.
Summary
Mikail channels his grief into digging a grave and, with Royo and Fallador’s help, buries Sticks, the donkey his father cherished. He concludes Qali palace guards razed the home, marked it “Baesinga,” and likely took Ailor to Idle Prison. He vows revenge on Joon and the palace guard, even as the Water Scepter leaves him depleted.
At the intact patio, Sora confirms the well water is safe, and Mikail reflects on the scepter’s toll. Sora gently suggests traveling to Gain for answers. Mikail leads her through the groves and recounts Ailor rescuing him after the Festival of Blood, then tells her there is nothing for her in Gain.
Pressed, Mikail confirms Sora’s dread: Daysum is dead. When Sora realizes he knew since Loptra, she erupts, accusing him of stealing her choice while she killed believing Daysum could be saved. Mikail defends the delay as necessary for the group’s safety, but Sora rejects him and walks away, their bond fractured.
Resolving to lead despite exhaustion and loss, Mikail turns back—only to find Aeri nearby, unnaturally still. He tests her with words and claps; Aeri remains eyes-open, mid-motion, frozen like a statue. The chapter ends with this inexplicable stasis looming over the shaken group.
Who Appears
- MikailPOV; buries Sticks, concludes Ailor was seized, confesses Daysum’s death to Sora, accepts her anger, finds Aeri frozen.
- SoraTests water, seeks answers in Gain, learns Daysum is dead, condemns Mikail’s secrecy, storms away in grief and fury.
- AeriOverhears the confrontation; later discovered eyes-open and motionless, inexplicably frozen mid-gesture.
- RoyoAssists Mikail in burying Sticks; present during the aftermath at the ruined homestead.
- FalladorHelps bury Sticks and remains with the group at the devastated property.