Crowns of Nyaxia, #3
The Songbird and the Heart of Stone
by Carissa Broadbent
Contents
Chapter 44
Overview
Mische and Asar reach the tower and begin the resurrection ritual, using the relics tied to Body, Breath, Psyche, and the arrow while the underworld destabilizes around them. As the final stage approaches, Mische discovers that Soul requires a sacrifice and that Asar, as Alarus's descendant, has always intended to pay it himself.
Asar's sacrifice reframes his secrecy as a desperate attempt to save Mische and fulfill the ritual's demand. The chapter ends with the ritual completed but Asar gone, turning the mission's apparent success into a devastating personal loss.
Summary
After Ophelia passes on, Mische collapses beside Asar, exhausted by the work of helping a soul move beyond death. Asar embraces Mische fiercely, shaken by how close Mische came to dying, while Luce comforts Mische. The reunion is brief because the wraiths have only retreated, not disappeared, and Mische thinks Mische sees Saescha watching hungrily among them.
Mische and Asar approach the tower hand in hand. The tower appears impossibly tall, its waterfalls reaching toward the inverted mortal world above, where Mische recognizes Vostis. The sight stirs homesickness, but Mische realizes Vostis no longer feels like home.
In the water around the tower, Asar begins the resurrection ritual and Mische's magic joins his. He places the relic of Body, the obsidian branch bearing Alarus's blood, and then the relic of Breath, the poppy petals. The ritual grows heavier and more dangerous, but Asar silently steadies Mische, and Mische finds that the magic feels strangely right despite violating everything Mische was taught.
Asar continues with Psyche, placing the ring and conjuring a ghostly memory of Nyaxia and Alarus on their wedding day. The sea churns, the wraiths draw nearer, and the veil to death opens enough for the ritual's call to reach a soul beyond. When Asar places the arrow, pain strikes Mische, the doorway to death opens wider, and Mische senses that something is terribly wrong.
Mische tries to stop Asar, but Asar tells Mische that Mische must finish the ritual. He reveals that because Alarus's blood runs in his line, Asar cannot complete the spell except as the offering of Soul. Mische recognizes Asar's reflection as Alarus and understands that Asar learned the cost in Secrets and made a deal to protect Mische, just as Mische had made one to protect him.
Asar tells Mische that Nyaxia will reward Mische with freedom, then steps into the final circle with Luce beside him. The ritual accepts Asar as the Soul offering and swallows him. Mische screams Asar's name, but the underworld opens, the ritual completes, and Asar is gone.
Who Appears
- MischeExhausted spellcaster who helps perform the ritual and realizes Asar intends to sacrifice himself.
- AsarLeads the resurrection ritual, reveals his Alarus bloodline, and sacrifices himself as Soul.
- LuceLoyal companion who stays beside Mische and Asar through the ritual's danger.
- AlarusDead god targeted by the resurrection ritual; his bloodline makes Asar the required sacrifice.
- NyaxiaGoddess meant to benefit from the ritual and expected by Asar to reward Mische.
- SaeschaWraith Mische thinks she sees watching hungrily from among the dead.