Chapter Seventy-Three: Essiya

Essiya wakes in a lush, memory-made Essam, greeted by Dania, Baira, and Kapastra. The scene contrasts with the poisoned real Essam, signaling she is within the Awalas’ shared inner realm. Their banter reveals mingled guilt, affection, and the flood of memories now fused with Essiya’s identity.

As they trade updates, the sisters admit they only intermittently sense the world above and are displeased by recent turmoil. They recount why they entombed themselves: immortal power had eroded their empathy and plunged their peoples into endless wars. With magic in the kingdoms now faded, they can only return if their power is no greater than the world’s.

Dania proposes a solution: drain their excess magic and funnel it back into their peoples, setting boundaries on power rather than spending it destructively. Essiya reacts fiercely against losing her magic again, but Baira clarifies the plan limits rather than removes it—a fountain given a basin.

Linking the idea to the fortress and past overspending, the sisters stress this would be repurposing, not expenditure, and cannot harm anyone from within their slumber. Uncertain of the time needed, they promise to devote themselves fully. Essiya accepts the uncertainty, asking only not to reemerge after her mortal loved ones are gone.

Overwhelmed, Essiya breaks down; the sisters comfort her, reaffirming their bond. They invite her to show them her memories, and together they begin reconstructing her life and preparing to attempt the long work of channeling their surplus magic back to the kingdoms.