Contents
Chapter Seventy-Two: Essiya
Overview
Essiya rejects eternal isolation for Jasad and destroys the fortress, releasing its stored magic across Janub Aya and revitalizing Jasadi power. The raven’s magic transforms Arin, healing him and darkening his hair, and Jeru restrains him as he rushes after Essiya. After ensuring her people will survive, Essiya vanishes into the mist and throws herself from the bridge, committing to entombment.
Summary
With the mist rising and time running out, Essiya refuses to leave Jasad imprisoned behind the new fortress. She weighs her fates—burning, madness, or entrapment—and rejects condemning Jasad to isolation as its magic dwindles.
Seeing cracks race across the fortress, Essiya smashes it. The structure implodes, and silver-gold magic rains over Janub Aya. The influx knocks some people down and makes others heave, but the Jasadis recover fastest, their magic doubled and their eyes blazing. Essiya decides Jasad’s future must be open, not hidden.
Without the barrier, Essiya watches Arin writhe as the raven from the scepter brands his chest and surges through him. Arin heals, even losing his old scar, and his hair turns from silver to night-black, revealing a truer lineage. When Arin charges after her, Essiya silently signals Jeru to stop him; Jeru and the soldiers tackle their Supreme and hold him back.
As the dead are gathered, Lateef argues over Marek’s body until Efra arrives to insist Marek “is one of us,” claiming him for Jasad. Convinced her people will endure, Essiya retreats into the mist, finds the scar where Rovial’s magic was torn out, and, after one last listening to Jasad’s heartbeats, tips herself over the bridge toward entombment.
Who Appears
- EssiyaNarrator; destroys the fortress to free Jasad, signals Jeru to stop Arin, then leaps into entombment.
- ArinSupreme; raven’s magic transforms and heals him. Charges after Essiya but is restrained.
- JeruGuardsman; answers Essiya’s signal and helps restrain Arin from pursuing her.
- SefaGrieving and weakened; alive but unresponsive as others tend to her.
- MaiaSupports Sefa, offering water and comfort amid the aftermath.
- NamsaAssists Maia in caring for Sefa during the chaos.
- LateefArgues with a Nizahl soldier and, with Efra, claims Marek’s body for Jasad.
- EfraJoins Lateef to insist Marek died for Jasad and should remain with them.
- MarekFallen ally; his body becomes a point of contention, then is claimed by Jasad.