The Broken Blades Trilogy, #3
Three Shattered Souls
by Mai Corland
Contents
Chapter Eight
Overview
Aeri experiences a disturbing time-freeze, likely a toll from using both relics, raising fears about their combined cost. Sora learns Daysum is dead and channels her grief into resolve, pushing for Seok’s death and Aeri’s coronation. Bells then announce the king’s death and immediate succession, shaking the realm’s balance.
Summary
In the Cetil orchard, Mikail snaps Aeri from a terrifying lapse where she stood immobile for about a minute. Both suspect it is a toll from her wielding the Golden Ring with the Sands of Time. They debate relic bonding and whether the Flaming Sword might be tied to Mikail’s royal bloodline.
Aeri goes downhill to find Sora, uneasy about splitting up. She discovers Sora at the town fountain, outwardly calm but seething. Sora reveals Daysum is dead and that Mikail knew for weeks, redirecting her grief into purpose: Seok must die, and Aeri must take the throne to change the realm.
Aeri, mentally fogged from the relics, agrees to try despite political obstacles. Sora vows to remain with the group until Aeri is crowned but voices distrust of Gambria. The conversation underscores Aeri’s worsening cognitive symptoms and the mounting cost of her power.
Temple bells suddenly ring. A town crier proclaims, “The king is dead! Long live the king!” Sora wonders if King Joon is dead. Aeri, fearing her father drowned at Quu Harbor, reels at the rapid succession, and the pair hurry to inform the others as the realm’s power shifts.
Who Appears
- AeriPOV; suffers a time-freeze likely from dual relic use; supports Sora; alarmed by news of the king’s death, possibly her father.
- SoraLearns Daysum is dead and that Mikail hid it; channels grief into resolve to kill Seok and crown Aeri; distrusts Gambria.
- MikailWorried for Aeri’s condition; discusses relic bonding; earlier withheld Daysum’s death from Sora, straining trust.
- Town CrierAnnounces, “The king is dead! Long live the king!” triggering urgency and uncertainty about succession.