THE CRONOVERSE: THE LOST LAND OF AMAGI
Prologue: Whispers of Rebellion
The air in the obsidian halls of The Veiled Citadel was thick with the scent of smoldering embers and ancient magic. Shadows clung to the walls like living things, twisting in time with the flickering torchlight.
Leach, a figure draped in tattered robes of midnight silk, knelt before Amiss, his voice a reverent whisper. "My Lady, the plans have begun playing out, as you requested." His eyes—hollow yet burning with fervor—reflected the dim glow of the runes etched into the floor.
Amiss, her lips curling into a smile as sharp as a dagger's edge, traced a finger along the hilt of the cursed blade at her hip. "Yes, I know you have done well, Leach. And I promise you… when I become Queen, I will save your race." Her voice was honeyed poison, sweet with promise but laced with the weight of empires yet to fall.
Leach bowed deeper, his forehead nearly touching the cold stone. "Thank you, my Lady."
Amiss turned toward the arched window, her gaze piercing the storm-laden skies beyond. Somewhere in the distance, the spires of Krelious's dominion gleamed like a mocking beacon. Her fingers tightened around the windowsill, cracking the stone. "Now, Krelious… just you wait and see. I will bring you down from your throne and destroy everything you have built."
The wind howled in agreement.
Chapter 1: The Kingdom on the Brink
Far from the shadows of Amiss's schemes, the golden halls of Milani's Kingdom stood defiant against the gathering storm. The marble floors, polished to a mirror sheen, reflected the uneasy faces of the courtiers who whispered of war.
In her private chambers, Milani, the warrior-queen, stood before a war table littered with maps and daggers. Her silver armor caught the firelight, casting jagged reflections across the room.
The door creaked open, and Liam strode in, his usual smirk playing at his lips. "Hey, Milani. How are you doing?" His voice was light, as if the world weren't teetering on the edge of annihilation.
Milani didn't look up. "We are almost at war, Liam. Now is not the time for your stupid games." Her tone was ice.
Liam chuckled, leaning against the table. "Come on, Milani. The gods are no threat to us at all. They're just digging their graves."
Milani sighed, rubbing her temples. "Liam, this is why I don't want to accept your proposal."
The humor drained from Liam's face. His jaw tensed. "What do you mean by that, Milani?"
She finally met his gaze, her eyes like hardened steel. "You never take anything seriously. You joke around, then snap like a wounded wolf over the smallest slight. How can I trust you with a kingdom—with me—when you treat the end of the world like a tavern brawl?"
Liam's hands clenched. "Why should that be a problem? I fight when it matters."
Milani turned away, her voice dropping to a whisper. "Hmph. If I ever choose someone, it will never be you."
The words struck Liam like a physical blow. He stepped closer, his voice raw. "Mila, look—we both have our differences. But even in that… we were made for each other."
Milani whirled on him, fury igniting in her eyes. "And who told you that? Oh, let me guess—it was Akermos."
Liam's patience frayed. "Listen. Even before he said it, I knew. So please… don't push me away now. Not after all we've gone through together."
Milani's laugh was bitter. "You have been through, Liam. Not me. Never me. You've been chasing this fantasy for centuries, and I hate it. And right now? I hate you."
Liam's breath left him as if he'd been gutted. For a heartbeat, the room was silent. Then, with a trembling hand, he closed the distance between them, cupping her face. His voice broke. "Mila… you've always been my reason for surviving. Since that day. If you leave me now… I might lose myself." His thumb brushed her cheek, his eyes begging.
Milani's heart pounded—once, twice—before she hardened it like forged iron. She shoved him back. "I don't care, Liam. I never wanted you. Not then. Not now. So please… leave."
Liam staggered, his expression shattering. "Mila… I'll keep loving you. And maybe… one day, you'll return it."
Milani pointed to the door, her voice a whip. "Liam. Fucking get lost."
Without another word, Liam turned and left, the door slamming shut behind him.
Outside, the first drops of rain began to fall.
SENOR'S BAR, EAST SIDE OF THE CRONOVERSE, PLANET YANGI
The dim, flickering neon lights of Senor's Bar cast jagged shadows across the cracked obsidian walls, their glow reflecting in the half-empty glasses strewn across the counter. The air was thick with the acrid scent of spilled liquor and the low hum of distant starship engines—a place where secrets fermented like the barrels of Yangi fire-whiskey lining the shelves.
At the far end of the bar, Liam sat slumped over his drink, his knuckles white around the glass. His usually sharp, golden eyes were bloodshot, his jaw clenched so tight it could have shattered diamond.
LIAM (slamming his glass down, liquor sloshing over the rim):
"Fuck. After all our years together—hiding, sneaking, lying—I finally wanted her to be mine. Fully mine. And she… she rejected me. Who the hell does she want, then? Why? Why throw me away like this?"
His voice cracked, raw with betrayal. The other patrons—mercenaries, drifters, and worse—pretended not to hear. In the Cronoverse, some wounds were best ignored.
Then, from the shadows, a low, mocking laugh slithered through the air.
OZORS (leaning against the bar, smirking):
"Ah, Liam. Finally, you see the truth I've been whispering in your ear for centuries."
LIAM (whirling around, eyes wide):
"Fuck! How long have you been there, Ozors?"
OZORS (grinning, swirling a glass of black-market Venomwine):
"Long before you staggered in. And judging by that shattered look on your face—and the way you're drowning yourself in piss-tier liquor—she did reject you, didn't she?"
LIAM (slamming his fist onto the bar, the wood splintering):
"Don't mock me, Ozors. I've been humiliated enough tonight. Let me drink in peace and crawl back to whatever's left of my life."
Ozors' smile didn't waver. She took a slow sip, her crimson eyes gleaming with cruel amusement.
OZORS:
"Liam. Let Milani go. She was never going to be yours."
A beat of silence. The music from the jukebox—some screeching Voidpunk ballad—seemed to fade into the background.
LIAM (voice dangerously low):
"What the hell do you mean by that?"
OZORS (leaning in, whispering like a blade sliding between ribs):
"She's been fucking Leviam. For centuries."
The glass in Liam's hand shattered. Blood and liquor dripped onto the bar, but he didn't feel it.
LIAM (choking out a laugh):
"That's a lie. I don't believe you."
OZORS (shrugging):
"Believe what you want. But sooner or later, the rest of the truth will gut you. And then you'll have no choice."
Liam's breath came in ragged gasps. His mind reeled—memories of stolen kisses, whispered promises, Milani's hands tangled in his hair. Had all of it been a game?
LIAM (gritting his teeth):
"You're telling me that Leviam—that grinning, backstabbing fool—has been behind my back this whole time? With Mila?"
OZORS (smirking):
"Oh, she didn't just let him. She chose him. Long before you ever stumbled into her bed."
LIAM (roaring):
"Then why didn't she tell me? Why let me love her? And why the fuck did Leviam stay quiet?"
Ozors' grin widened, savoring the agony in Liam's voice.
OZORS:
"Simple. You were her backup plan. A temporary warm body in case Leviam ever left her."
The words hit like a plasma round to the chest.
LIAM (screaming, hurling his chair across the bar):
"I'VE BEEN A FOOL FOR CENTURIES? FUCKKKK!"
Patrons scattered. The bartender ducked behind the counter. Ozors just watched, amused.
OZORS:
"Leviam's reasons for silence? That I don't know. But if you want the full truth… you'll have to face them both."
MILANI'S KINGDOM – THE CRYSTAL CHAMBERS
Far from the grime of Senor's Bar, the opulent halls of Milani's palace gleamed under floating chandeliers of crystallized starlight. The air smelled of incense and power.
In her private chambers, Milani stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, watching the twin moons of Yangi rise. Her silver gown shimmered like liquid mercury, her expression unreadable.
Then—footsteps. Heavy. Familiar.
The door slid open.
A figure stepped inside, silhouetted against the hallway's glow.
FIGURE:
"Is he gone?"
Milani didn't turn.
MILANI (softly):
"Yes. And… I think it's time we told everyone the truth."
The figure stepped into the light.
Leviam.
His golden eyes—so like Liam's, yet colder—met hers. A slow smile spread across his face.
LEVIAM:
"About damn time."
NEXT CHAPTER ✓
ACT 22: MILA'S GAMBIT _ THE MEETING OF GODS.
(To be continued…)