The Drowned Gods, #2
Stranger Skies
by Pascale Lacelle
Contents
Chapter 65: Emory
Overview
Emory rejects Tol’s fatal sacrifice and harnesses the ley line, her darkness, and the keys’ willing power to blow open the fourth door. The group survives and gains access to the sleepscape. An ominous figure emerges and resolves into Cornus Clover, escalating the stakes and reframing their next move.
Summary
Emory refuses to let Tol sacrifice his heart to open the fourth door. Concluding the gods might be petitioned if Atheia remains splintered and Sidraeus is surrendered, she instead resolves to blast the sealed passage.
Drawing on the ley line, Emory is nearly consumed by its corrupted power. She rejects taking the keys’ magic by force, embraces her own darkness as fuel, and still begins to burn out. Romie, Aspen, and Tol willingly offer their power; Virgil vows to stop Emory if she goes too far.
Their consent transforms the exchange: Emory calls the keys’ magic without draining them, combines it with her Tidecaller power, and shatters the wall in a silver burst. Everyone survives the blast, and a portal into the sleepscape yawns open.
A shifting, elemental figure approaches along the starlit path, then coalesces into a young man with corrupt, flashing veins. Romie recognizes him: Cornus Clover.
Who Appears
- EmoryDetermined Tidecaller; harnesses ley line and darkness, accepts keys’ willing power, and blows open the fourth door.
- RomieReluctant but supportive key; offers power willingly and recognizes Cornus Clover.
- AspenKey who urges avoiding Tol’s death and shares power willingly with Emory.
- TolKey whose heart was the proposed sacrifice; instead lends power to Emory.
- SidraeusCollared Tidecaller maker; watches Emory’s attempt, momentarily mistaken for Keiran as he steadies her.
- VirgilPromises to stop Emory if she endangers the keys; stands ready during the blast.
- Cornus CloverMysterious figure from the sleepscape; appears corrupted, then manifests as a young man.