Contents
Chapter 20 — Isla
Overview
Cronan confronts Isla, effortlessly destroying her defenses and seizing her after recognizing her as the Worldkey. Lark’s furious attack fails as Cronan shreds her, though she begins to reconstitute. Cronan’s power and intent are confirmed, escalating the stakes as Isla is taken and the prophecy’s danger crystallizes.
Summary
Isla faces Cronan Malvere, whose presence radiates an ancient, inexorable power. He advances through a forest reduced to ash, ignoring all but Isla. Lark, driven by rage and centuries-old resentment, lunges at Cronan, but he dismisses her with a flick, shredding her body into ribbons that begin to crawl back together.
Recognizing the threat, Isla summons every ability she can—storm, blizzard, fire, shadow, ice, and star rings—taking a defensive stance with her sword. Cronan tears through these protections in an instant, seizes Isla by the throat, and wrenches her sword from her hand, examining it with evident interest.
His attention fixes on Isla’s black diamond necklace. Laughing without joy, Cronan names her “Worldkey,” revealing he has torn through the universe to find her, only for Isla to deliver herself to him. The confrontation ends with Isla losing consciousness as darkness closes in, leaving her captured and Cronan triumphant.
Who Appears
- IslaProtagonist; throws all her powers against Cronan but is overpowered and seized as the Worldkey.
- Cronan MalvereAncient immortal; effortlessly destroys Lark, breaks Isla’s defenses, identifies Isla as the Worldkey, and captures her.
- LarkImmortal Wildling ancestor; attacks Cronan in fury, is shredded, and begins to reassemble.