# Children of Anguish and Anarchy  ## About - Author: [[Tomi Adeyemi]] - Full Title: Children of Anguish and Anarchy ## Table of Contents > [!NOTE] ([Location 203](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B0CH1SCG9T&location=203)) > I try to continue, but the words disappear. The memories strike like the tides. Slowly, I’m brought back to the way the Silver Skull loomed over me. I feel the sweat that dripped down my skin. Two Skulls held me down the first night they locked me in here. Another took hot shears to my scalp. The Silver Skull raised the twisted majacite crown in his hands. The world darkened when I realized his plan. I thrashed as the Silver Skull shoved the poisonous metal into my temple. The searing alloy steamed as it merged with my skin. When I passed out on the rusted floor, tears streamed down my face. I begged for death’s embrace. With the majacite welded to my temple, I don’t know if I’ll be able to access my gifts again. > [!NOTE] ([Location 226](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B0CH1SCG9T&location=226)) > “Our powers come from our land. We might not be able to restore them unless we return home.” ### CHAPTER THREE INAN > [!NOTE] ([Location 282](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B0CH1SCG9T&location=282)) > “They call themselves the Tribes of Baldeírik. They sail under one king, a man named Baldyr. Whoever they’re searching for, they’re searching on his behalf.” > [!NOTE] ([Location 292](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B0CH1SCG9T&location=292)) > Zélie hesitates and her fingers fall to her side. “We got reports during the war, but the elders and I thought it was you.” “Mother and I thought it was you.” An entire empire can crumble in one night. > [!NOTE] ([Location 1602](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B0CH1SCG9T&location=1602)) > CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX ZÉLIE > [!NOTE] ([Location 1671](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B0CH1SCG9T&location=1671)) > My voice cracks as I think of all the blood that’s been spilled—Mama Agba’s, Mâzeli’s, Lekan’s. > [!NOTE] ([Location 2950](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B0CH1SCG9T&location=2950)) > “We’re going home.” I squeeze her arm. “We just need to break a few Skulls.” > [!NOTE] ([Location 3286](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B0CH1SCG9T&location=3286)) > But when I find their largest map, my fingers fall numb. Hanging on the far wall, the map holds nations of our world that I’ve never seen. The Isles of Samæra. The Straits of Palantar. The joined villages of a land called Sutōrī. Dark red lines mark the Skulls’ plans of conquest. > [!NOTE] ([Location 3289](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B0CH1SCG9T&location=3289)) > Horror dawns as I see the nations circled in red. The places King Baldyr’s onslaught will begin after the Blood Moon. The island of New Gaīa. And the fallen kingdom of Orïsha. > [!NOTE] ([Location 3327](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B0CH1SCG9T&location=3327)) > Crimson light spills from my fingertips, reanimating the fallen Skulls. My magic. He’s using it. He’s in control. > [!NOTE] ([Location 3603](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B0CH1SCG9T&location=3603)) > “When you have nothing left—” The warrior swipes at me. “When the world has pushed you to your knees, that is when you learn who you really are! That is when you find your true strength!” > [!NOTE] ([Location 3638](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B0CH1SCG9T&location=3638)) > “Estou pronto,” I affirm. The corners of Köa’s lips twitch at the sound of New Gaīan. > [!NOTE] ([Location 3805](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B0CH1SCG9T&location=3805)) > All I wanted was to be enough. To live day after day witnessing the smile on her face. When she told me she loved me, that dream became real. > [!NOTE] ([Location 3831](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B0CH1SCG9T&location=3831)) > This time I’m not a boy. I’m a warrior. > [!NOTE] ([Location 4003](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B0CH1SCG9T&location=4003)) > The chant builds around us as we fly down the stairs. The galdrasmiðr follows close behind. Her feet don’t touch the ground. As I run, the realization dawns. I understand the mosaic painted on the wall. We haven’t launched an attack. We’ve walked straight into their ritual. > [!NOTE] ([Location 4655](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B0CH1SCG9T&location=4655)) > I’m not ready to say good-bye. I’m not ready for our story to end.