The Fourth Runi

Although sixteen-year-old Rafen has recovered from Lashki’s attack, he remains affected by a horrible and permanent weakness: Spirit Awareness. He can now see and hear the spirits of Nazt that desire to destroy everything. But to free itself from its invisible bonds, Nazt needs the Fourth Runi to die. Blissfully unaware of this, Rafen is developing his kesmalic abilities under his new tutor, Demas, who is also teaching Princess Etana. Through their classes, their feelings for each other grow. Unfortunately, their romance has driven Sherwin away. Francisco remains by Rafen’s side, and his father, Roger, continues to try to control them. In the meantime, Richard Patrick, a Sartian prince destined to rule Siana, has arrived in New Isles to be groomed for the throne. He is betrothed to Etana, and Rafen acknowledges that he must move on. Richard is also proclaimed the Fourth Runi, destined to destroy the Lashki Mirah and end the power of Nazt. At a ball celebrating his arrival, Rafen watches Richard dancing with Etana. His anger grows, and he rushes away from the room to a balcony. Sherwin appears but is strangely different. Although this is unknown to Rafen, Sherwin has discovered his true identity. The Lashki almost destroyed himself when he burnt his phoenix feather, and Sherwin is the part of the Lashki’s soul that broke away. Instead of revealing this to Rafen, Sherwin reveals the meaning of his phoenix feather. Rafen has never told anyone else about his feather, but Sherwin has guessed the truth. The phoenix feather seals Rafen’s identity as the Fourth Runi. Richard is a fraud, and Rafen intends to destroy Nazt instead of him. Rafen also has a right to the throne and the Sixth Secra (one of the deity Zion’s female warriors), who happens to be Etana. Being the Fourth Runi only means one thing to Rafen. He hurries Etana into a rapid but secret marriage that almost destroys them. Three months later, Richard already suspects Rafen as a potential rival. He turns the people against him and almost kills Rafen. With so many factors against them, will Rafen and Etana be able to survive?