CHAPTER 22 – THE HEART OF GOLD


    To be honest it had been eating away at him since they got home from the mountains. Now a couple of days later it was time to make amends with his mother. Mitakahn joined her on the queen’s balcony. He wanted to do more than just check up on her but didn’t really want to apologize outright for his disrespectful behavior. Apologizing would make her feel validated for letting Axion abandon his duties, and Mitakahn did not want them to have the satisfaction. So instead, he came up with a way to make her feel better about everything else. He knew the source of her sorrow was the passing of the king.


    Mitakahn’s plan was obvious. He used to ask his parents about how they met all of the time. Being from two different kingdoms was an interesting story to say the least. Mitakahn would always take notes in his head about how the stories differed between parent and after a while between time. They became more and more reminiscent as they got older, sparing detail, and focusing more on feeling. One thing always remained the same; they fought against the world to be together. Mitakahn knew if he asked now he would learn a little bit more and perhaps it might make her feel better to think about the early days of their love even if it inevitably led back to the present.


    “Tell me again mother, how you and father first met.”


    “Seriously, Mitakahn? You have heard this tale countless times, my dear.”


    “Humor me, mother. I need to hear it again.”


    “As you wish.”


    “Thank you.”


    “My family believes in different gods than here. We never had a god like Magnanimous to worship so distinctly, so the Shorelands worshiped the old gods, the roots of MagnaThora. I’m talking about before Patronalus. These were the founders of MagnaThora. Little can really be known about them because they left our realm before the rise of man. There was one legend though, one legend of old called the heart of gold that everybody knew. Your father was amongst the champions trying to find the ancient treasure.”


    “His quest led him to the shores of Metuchen where he asked for the horse king’s aid. My father welcomed prince Theomitus and gave him the full resources of the crown. Originally, King Avalahn assigned Anilithyìstad to personally aid the lion prince. It was not until I found out he was in search of the heart of gold that I offered my assistance as well. You see, it was one of my favorite legends as a girl. A legend that they would sing to us in the parishes. One as common as Magnanimous the lion lorde, this was the first lesson in love.”


    The Legend of Epitome and Epiphany


    The world was shaped by fire, winter, and storms. Primordial forces kept the growth of the human race down. Immortal omnipotent beings known as gods walked among the first men. The gods were bound to men by a foundational covenant. They could not exist, one without the other. Led by their oldest brother King Epitome, the gods helped vanquish the fire, thaw the winter, and tame the storms. This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.


    In the end, it took a sacrifice that Epitome was willing to make for everyone. He used his might to bring in all of the storms plaguing the land. Compounding the thunder and winds, he forged a kingdom in the sky called Legacy City, which man would come to commonly refer to as the heavens. The gods were forced to leave their precious MagnaThora in the hands of mankind. Man prospered after that.


    King Epitome ruled with his beloved Queen Epiphany, the goddess of beauty, love, and harmony. For a while Epiphany felt at peace. There was harmony in both realms. But before long the oldest of Epitome’s younger brothers became wanting of more. Lord Plagues was the god of decay, destruction, and the darkness. He was the antithesis of Epitome in every way save power, which is what he coveted most. Plagues broke the seal between god and man in an attempt to turn them against Epitome. In one magnificent gesture, Epitome sacrificed himself and Plagues, cleansing man of darkness. In their absence, the gods grew wayward. Apophas took over and Quarrel brewed chaos unchecked.


    Eventually most of the gods were trapped in the NetherRealm and Apophas abandoned humanity forever, leaving only the demigods. Those same divine animals that the first kingdoms were founded on. But before all of that, before the kingdoms of man, before the NetherRealm, before the sacrifice, before his long walk to the southlands, Epitome stopped somewhere in MagnaThora and left his heart hidden. The moment the heart touched the air it turned to gold. Epitome knew the road south would inevitably kill him. So, he left his heart, the estate of his soul, to its proper keeper… Epiphany.


    It didn’t matter if it took her a millennia to find it, Epiphany looked every day for her beloved’s heart. Unfortunately, the goddess was never seen or heard from again and the Heart of Gold was never recovered. The only lead being Epitome’s journey south from the Atlas Mountains across the beaches of Metuchen.


    ● ● ●


    “That is where Theomitus began his search. He didn’t get very far though. No, because the first day, well the first moment really, that we saw each other …I fell for him instantly.”


    “Love at first sight.”


    “Part of me always thought it was the nature of opposing my father’s will that drew me to the idea of falling in love with a lion prince, but it turns out it was destiny all along. At least, I can say that. We were meant for each other.”


    “The end removes all doubt. You can both rest assured.”


    “I hope he rests.”


    “I’m sorry for the way I talked to you, mother.”


    The moment had gotten the best of Mitakahn. He felt the sudden urge to completely come clean, deeply aware of the irony.


    “Mitakahn, I wanted to be mad like you. One day when you are a parent, you will understand how difficult it can be sometimes. Often you find yourself putting the parent part of your life before yourself, when you’re a ruler it’s even worse. The fact of the matter is, we cannot force Axion to take the throne. I still have faith in him though. You must too.”


    “I don’t know. Who would choose a girl over their family?”


    Queen Adyána laughed.


    “Your father did, and the choice gave him his own family.”


    “Oh, you’re right, I certainly can’t argue with that.”


    “I love you son. You have a strong heart and a unique mind. Your father was always proud of you, and we always trusted you to do the right thing. So, tell me, what are you going to do about your visions?”


    “I have a plan.”