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Theocratic-Monarchy: SunSide
30th Day of Month 6, Year 1628 DG
There is no greater symbol of SunSide’s devotion to its theocracy than the Temple Complex. A stage was erected in the courtyard overnight, identical to the one upon which Sonali was executed.
Saila stands at the podium, waiting for the applause to die down. Using the Radiance, Saila projects her voice so that it echoes throughout the Complex, between the monuments and shrines, within the chapels and halls.
“There is so much to say. I’m a little lost as to where to begin. One week ago, the MegaFather, the Facilitator, and the Braver General staged a coup in an attempt to gain sole power over SunSide. They found success in eight assassinations, but by the grace of the Four, I survived.”
The applause resumes, and Saila gestures for the crowd to settle down.
“In light of these difficult truths, it is apparent that heavy governmental changes are imperative. Until a suitable candidate for the throne is found, SunSide is a sole theocracy once again. In the coming months, the Assembly of the Radiance will be rejuvenated with new Members. We will hold fair and equal elections to fill the seven empty seats. The three remaining seats will be filled by the Chief Member and our two Ambassadors to MoonSide.”
She gestures to the Doruh twins sitting behind her on the stage, who smile and wave to the cheering crowd.
Saila continues. “Per their counsel, we have developed a three-phase plan that will work to restore faith, trust, and unity between us and our sister kingdom. The details of this plan have not yet been outlined, but we do know the main objective of each phase.”
She looks down at a piece of paper with Salessa’s handwriting outlining the three phases, along with Naina’s notes in the margins, and strikethroughs across some of Salessa’s ideas.
“Phase One will work toward eradicating all signs of occupation, and Braver activity, within MoonSide. Phase Two will see the construction of two new cities within SunSide. The faerie settlements will be evacuated and demolished, and the land will be returned to the Doruh. The settlers will be relocated to the new cities within our own borders.”
Saila ignores the jeers in the crowd, likely from some faeries and loyalists, and continues. “Phase Three will reinstate the Alphocracy and assist MoonSidians in holding fair elections to select their new Alphas.”
She turns to Naina and Salessa, who smile at her encouragingly, then back to the crowd with a deep exhale. “The Doruh won their liberation and it is time to honor their freedom. They were here, fighting to liberate Larso alongside us. SunSide’s soil has been blessed with Doruh blood. This is the very least we can do.”
The crowd erupts again, and the twins stand to applaud her. Pride and hope build in her chest, bringing tears into her eyes. She prays that only good days are ahead—the days that Sonali and Alba used to believe were possible.
She turns to invite the twins to speak, but they’re no longer clapping. They’re staring down at a small piece of paper in Salessa’s hands.
“What is it?” Saila asks.
“A child brought this note up to the stage and said it was for Lessi,” Naina explains. “He said some large Doruh—half cat and half man—gave it to him and then left.”
Saila holds her hand out for the note, and Salessa hands it to her:
Come find me, Salessa.
I’m waiting for you on Lover’s Plateau.
Come find me.