The Drowned Gods, #2
Stranger Skies
by Pascale Lacelle
Contents
Chapter 68: Emory
Overview
In the sleepscape, Emory steadies the shaken group and recognizes Sidraeus remains as a formless umbra. Understanding that his return would mean Atheia’s restoration and her friends’ deaths, Emory commits to chasing Clover to the next world.
The party resolves to rescue Romie, Aspen, and Tol, then storm the godsworld.
Summary
Emory regains her footing in the sleepscape and resolves to reach Romie, Aspen, and Tol before Clover can reunite them with the fourth piece that would restore Atheia. Virgil, Nisha, Vera, and two Golden Helm draconics join her on the star-lined path, shaken and demanding answers. Nisha breaks down over Romie’s abduction, while Vera grips the returned compass, seething at Clover’s escape.
Emory spots the crowned umbra—Sidraeus—hovering nearby. She realizes he has left his vessel and can only exist here, formless, unless Atheia returns. Emory understands that his regaining a body would mean Atheia’s return and her friends’ deaths, a possibility she refuses to allow. A silent acknowledgment passes between Emory and Sidraeus before he recedes into the darkness.
With the stakes clear, Emory declares their next move: they will travel to the next world, find Romie, Aspen, and Tol, and then storm the godsworld. She vows to make Cornus Clover pay, transforming the group’s fear and grief into a plan of pursuit and confrontation.
Who Appears
- EmoryCenters the group in the sleepscape, rejects Atheia’s return, and vows to pursue Clover and rescue the abducted friends.
- NishaOverwhelmed by Romie’s abduction, collapses in grief yet seeks guidance on what to do next.
- VirgilSteadies Nisha and supports Emory’s decision to pursue Clover across worlds.
- VeraClutches the returned compass, furious at Clover, and prepares to follow Emory’s lead.
- SidraeusAppears as a crowned umbra without a vessel; silently withdraws, underscoring the stakes of Atheia’s return.
- Golden Helm draconicsTwo draconic allies arrive winded on the path and stand ready to accompany Emory.