Age of arrogance, p.16
Age of Arrogance, page 16
“Explain to him!” Francis yelled, rushing towards Mary and pointing at Arrogance. Perhaps alarming had not been the correct word. For Francis to yell at his favorite god, he must have been absolutely distraught. “Tell him you won’t do it. I will not allow this… I cannot!”
It had been a while since she had to console Francis and not the other way around. While a day without wine had been a disappointment, a clear head was clearly required. “Slow down, my beloved. Slow down, take a deep breath, and tell me everything. From the beginning.” She ignored the chuckles from Arrogance and maintained eye contact with her husband. By the gods, he shook in her arms.
“I, I, I…”
“Allow me,” Arrogance said, floating over towards them. “Hypothetically speaking, what would you say if I told you there was a congregation of the gods this evening, and that the best one did not receive an invitation?”
Take a deep breath and focus. Francis needs you. Calvin needs you. “If this leads to another puppeteer story, I’m drinking all the wine in Terrangus and heading back to bed.”
“Oh, Empress, you are going somewhere, but not bed. Not yet, at least.”
“Tell him no!” Francis yelled. He gripped her arm with a surprising amount of strength. Since it was unlikely Francis had become stronger, the more unfortunate alternative of Mary’s decline was apparent.
Mary shrugged at Arrogance. “But why? I doubt you trust me enough to negotiate any sort of terms.” A moment passed as she considered the alternative. “Fuck, you want me to die, don’t you?”
“Heavens no!” Arrogance said. “How I wish you were more intelligent. Allow me to make this perfectly clear to both of you. This is not a threat, but merely a declaration of truth: if at any point I desire your end, your end will occur. Scheming is for the manipulation of realms, not smashing insects. Now, stop disappointing your professor and take another guess.”
He sounded just annoyed enough for Mary to believe it was true. But what alternatives were there? Francis couldn’t go. Vanguards would be killed on sight. Mary would… Ah. “I’m the only one they won’t kill immediately.”
Arrogance chuckled, floating down the stairs. “Close enough. You’ve solved about eighty percent of the equation. I’ll leave you to find the remaining twenty.”
I already have. You don’t care if I die. There was no reason to say it out loud. Not with Francis already distraught. “Before I accept, what exactly do you need me to do? If I stroll into Sky Vaynex or whatever it is and make demands, I wager I’ll never see my favorite god again.”
“Simply do what you do best these days: nod drunkenly while other people speak.” Arrogance raised his spectral hand and a chalice of wine appeared. She swore she could smell the berries. “Despite common knowledge, warriors always make the best spies. The preconception they are all fools lets them steal from the minds of those who think they know better. Listen, and when it's time to speak, encourage their attack.”
Encourage their attack? Even Arrogance must have known the combined might of all their remaining enemies would lead to a swift defeat. “Have you grown tired of my kingdom? I’ll do as you ask, but I fear I’m only hastening the collapse of Serenity.”
Arrogance chuckled. “Hastening! What an interesting word that one is. Doubt me if you must, but if I have learned anything in three hundred years, it's that putting faith in the absurdity of freewill is a surefire way to invite defeat. Let them come. I hope there is an existence after divinity, a plane where Strength and Valor can welcome their ignorant comrades with open arms.”
“Whatever. May I please have my wine?” asked Mary, taking a step forward. The whole thing seemed like a trick. Arrogance probably wanted her to push for the invasion, just so the alliance would think it's a trick and not attack. But maybe he knew that? Maybe he anticipated her anticipation and sent her with a doomed task? Whew, enough of that. She grabbed the chalice from his spectral hand and took a large swig. It was delicious, of course. Liars always brew the best wine.
“Ask and you shall receive. Funny, I thought it would take more convincing. Should I find it strange that you willingly walk into the garden of freewill?”
She took another sip. “Why would following God’s orders be strange?”
“Are you certain?” asked Francis. “I would never doubt your mind or body, but to surround yourself with those who wish us dead… Is that truly wise?”
Not only was it unwise, but it was certainly one of the dumbest decisions she would ever make. “Most of them want me dead, but I doubt Sardonyx will allow it. Murdering an unarmed mother wouldn't be very glorious.”
“Glorious indeed,” Arrogance said.
Francis groaned and stepped away. It looked like he was trying to compose himself but couldn’t quite manage the look. “If any harm comes to my wife, I will burn every kingdom to the ground. Serenity will be on hold until my policy of scorched earth is complete. Am I clear?”
“Your voice has never been more clear, Emperor,” Arrogance said, floating forward. “But remove such thoughts from your mind. I am a pragmatic god, not a degenerate gambler. Our dear Mary will return to us. I guarantee it.”
“F… Fine!” Francis yelled. It nearly melted her heart to see him so distressed. “Before you go, I’ll answer my own damned question. How much can a person be damaged before they are considered broken? I am held together by the love of my wife and our son. Mary, beloved, please return to me. There is nothing we cannot accomplish together. All of these moments are mere footnotes in our own little Serenity.”
Unable to find the words, Mary kissed him, then stared at Arrogance. “When do I go?”
“Funny you should ask,” Arrogance said, raising both hands, then creating a portal. “How about…immediately? I usually prefer fashionably late, but this is one of those rare moments where it pays to be early.”
“So be it,” Mary said. She resisted the urge to look back at her husband, and stepped into the portal.
*
Travel by portals was usually jarring, but there was a calmness in the air that made everything okay. She nearly gasped at the familiarity of the wind brushing against her cheek, the bright green blades of grass coming up to her knees, and…it was him. Sardonyx Claw, Warlord of Vaynex, with a unicorn on one side and a zephum she had never met before—most likely Bloom—on the other.
“Mary Walker!” he yelled, noticeably not using her new last name. “Come forth! Let me look upon you!”
“Were you expecting me?” she asked, slowly stepping forward. It was surreal to see him in person again. The other gods all had ridiculous personas, but Sardonyx was simply Sardonyx.
“You are an unexpected surprise, but a surprise most welcome. Ah, look at you… You wear a mother’s fatigue! It is glorious!”
She wasn’t sure what that meant, but the words were spoken with such warmth, she couldn’t help but hug him. “Now that you mention it, old friend, I am tired. Very, very tired.”
“We all are, Guardian. Unfortunately, the next rest for some of us may end up our last.”
“Um, Boss, isn’t she the enemy? I know you can’t kill her, but do you want me to do it? We may want to get that done before the others arrive.”
“Silence!” he yelled, which caused his unicorn to rush off into the plains beyond. “This human and I have a glorious history. She once struck me in the face with her shield. Speaking of, where is your shield?”
“I haven’t held it in months,” she said, before the urge to lie pulled through. By all measures, the shield in her chambers was denser and more colorful, but the honor was missing. “Strength himself blessed that shield and, well, yeah. I don’t feel worthy anymore. Too much has changed in too short a time.”
“While we should always remain our own harshest critic, the view must be balanced with honor. Look at me, old friend. Do you truly believe I am worthy to become a god?”
“I—”
“Before you respond, remember the zephum tyrant you pledged a fair amount of time to destroying to avenge your father. I am still that zephum, but I am a zephum wearing the armor of experience. Here in the Great Plains in the Sky, we are all worthy, or none of us are.”
“Sardonyx, is there a way out of this without violence? Arrogance wants me to goad you into a full-on attack. I doubt we can stop you, but after the wedding, anything is possible.”
“Without violence?” Bloom yelled. “Tell that to fucking Vaynex. Violence is coming, Empress. I won’t do it here out of respect for Sardonyx, but by Tradition’s name, I’ll kill you and your son with one detonator.”
Perhaps it was foolish, but Mary walked right in front of Bloom. “Keep your grievances with me and my husband. Speak of my son again at your own risk.”
Yep, it was foolish. Bloom stepped forward and gave her a slight push, which nearly sent her flying. “Calvin Haide, emperor in waiting, son of a human bitch. I will nail his body to the citadel walls once you and the Arrogant One are dead.” She sighed and stepped away. “What are you even doing here? You’re supposed to be some human engager of legend, a warrior blessed by the mighty Pyith herself, and I get this skinny woman in a dress? Fuck off and go home. Lay with your husband a few more times before we burn Terrangus to the ground. Maybe get started on a new kid before I butcher—”
“Enough,” Sardonyx said. His voice wasn’t particularly loud but it shook the entire plains. “Regardless of circumstance, I will not tolerate threats against children. Not here, not in Vaynex, not anywhere. Am I clear—”
A new portal erupted behind them. Serenna emerged first, followed by a nightmare of a woman who could only be Fear. Mary had heard the tales but to see her in person was staggering. Fear wore the look of a true empress, with burning wings of black energy sprouting from her shoulders and a crystal in her eye that shone so brilliantly, it made the plains appear darker.
Fear surveyed the plains. She tried to hide it but the torment on her face was more clear than the sun burning above them. “We are truly in the end of times if the zephum arrived early. What… What is she doing here?” asked Fear, staring into Mary.
As startling as Fear’s voice was, it was nothing compared to Serenna rushing over and grabbing her. Damn, she was strong for a shorter woman. It was obvious which leader had been lounging around with wine and which had spent the past few months fighting for her life. “Where is my Zeen? You had the audacity to come here without him? You will never leave these plains alive. Never!”
Thankfully, Fear said, “Stop embarrassing me, Guardian. It's obvious that Ermias wants us to kill her. If you can’t control your emotions, then go back to Alanammus and let the adults speak. Never alter a dominant strategy.”
“What about you?” asked Mary. She pushed Serenna away and clenched her fists. “You crashed my wedding in some insane attempt to destroy the most powerful god in the realm. Zeen isn’t here because you threw him away.”
“Enough!” Fear and Tradition said at the same time. They gave each other a quick glance—Sardonyx grinned but Fear looked away.
But, it wasn’t enough. Serenna was out of her damn mind if she thought Mary would back down. “Everything was just fine until you and Valor decided to open the floodgates. Arrogance was never in a position to assault the realm. Your stupidity destroyed the Guardian force and most of the gold cloaks. All you had to do was nothing, but no, Serenna the Pact Breaker had to fuck everything up. Well, great job. Do you have any idea what it's like living under his rule? I drink every single night and day hoping that I won’t wake up to see another one. But it comes. Tomorrow always comes for those who don’t want it.”
Serenna grabbed the Wings of Mylor from behind her back. She stared into Mary as if she was a monster. Sadly, she probably was. “Spare me your pitiful excuses. I acted because evil was growing within your home. To ignore evil is to enable it, and I will never enable evil again.” The rage in her eyes descended into concern as the plains grew colder. Whatever it was, it certainly wasn’t the breeze.
“Serenna… Serenna, Serenna,” Death said. He was a black cloud in the skies, with a voice that echoed across the open plains. Despite his appearance, it was interesting the deity kept a safe distance. “When all the gods fail and all the gods fall, your destiny will always be linked to me.” The red eyes within the cloud looked around. “It is…surreal to have existed thousands of years and to see something for the first time. I can only wonder how many mortals I have sent to this plane. May they all think of me one last time before the void consumes them.”
“Guardians and gods alike, welcome to my home,” Sardonyx said. Despite the potential chaos, she had never seen the zephum more calm. “There are obviously several…issues with this summit. I ask for respect, cordiality, and restraint. If anyone violates these terms, they will regret their dishonorable mishap. For any grievances, speak them now, or forever hold your silence.”
Death laughed. “The only forever is the nothing and the end.”
“Perhaps I was not clear!” Sardonyx said, drawing his sword. “We are here to defeat the Arrogant One. As gods, it is only natural to be filled with pride, but never forget that pride is the sword of our enemy. Death! Fear! All I can do is request your cooperation. Before I waste words, I demand confirmation: can we coexist in the face of irrelevancy?”
It was alarming that no one responded.
Chapter 30
Diversion
For all of Serenna’s anger towards Mary, it was harrowing to look upon the black clouds of Death and face a reminder of her true nemesis. “Death, for as long as I recall, you have been my greatest enemy,” she said out loud, if only to break the silence. “Yet, our feud is nothing compared to Arrogance and the pantheon of gods. Let it be known that I pledge my cooperation. We shall destroy him together. I know how badly you yearn to send one of your own to the void.”
“He is not of my own,” Death yelled, rumbling the plains. Perhaps that last line had not been wise. “None of you are. I came here to speak, not listen, and speak I shall. Serenna: say my words, the words you know all too well. While it hasn’t been long enough since Gabriel to give you my full power, you don’t require it to do my bidding. I’ve seen the ecstasy of destruction in your eyes. The yearning to drown the Time God’s children, the—”
“No,” Sardonyx said. “We shall find another path. For as long as I live, you will never have her.”
“Oh, lizard beast, that may not be much longer. Have you already forgotten the result of our last skirmish? Draw your blade and face me again. This time, I can reunite you with your fallen son.”
Fear erupted with void energy; she floated into the air and materialized a glowing blade in her right hand. “Give me reason, Death. We can kill Ermias, or we can simply kill you. I’m fine with either scenario.”
Serenna nearly jumped as Mary grabbed her by the shoulder. “Do something! If this leads to a free-for-all, the realm is lost! Arrogance cannot win!” There was genuine terror on Mary’s face, accentuated by the puffy cheeks she used to see on David.
“Do you truly desire that result? Mary, if you lose…”
Tears rolled down her cheeks as she said, “I know. I’ve known since the day I became a mother. Just don’t harm my son. Despite his parents, I swear to you he is innocent. He is too perfect to have come from me. He is too perfect for anything.”
“All children are innocent,” Serenna said. What an awkward scenario. Unsure of what to do, she pulled Mary in and hugged her. “I know what it is to be flawed. I still love you. He will never become emperor, but no harm will come to Calvin. I will raise him as if he were my own son.” It was far too late to wonder if the words were true. Zeen would surely agree…if he made it out alive.
Serenna clutched the Wings of Mylor and entered her empowered form. While it stopped the bickering, it had the unfortunate effect of drawing every god’s gaze to her. Let them watch. She shielded herself, Fear, and Sardonyx, then created a giant crystal spike and hovered it in the air. “While I wager we cannot win without you, Death, I also wager you cannot win without us. Stop this reprehensible display of ignorance and forge an alliance. Victory shall be the protocol of Valor.”
With a quick swipe, Fear shattered her own crystal shield. She glared at every mortal and god but eventually sheathed her blade. “So be it. Where reality fails, dreams are eternal.”
Sardonyx let out a mighty guffaw. He slammed his blade into the ground. His unicorn reared and neighed gloriously. “Strength without honor—is CHAOS!”
Death didn’t appear to be impressed, though it was near impossible to gauge any sort of emotions through those glowing eyes. The dark cloud that covered whatever his body was expanded throughout the plains. “I agree to nothing before there is a plan in motion, and here is mine: I propose we turn Serenna into my Harbinger and unleash her upon Terrangus. If you have an alternative, speak it now. I tire of listening to the lesser gods yell out broken promises.”
One of you better speak, Serenna thought, having no intentions of ever accepting that power again. “Saving” a realm by burning it to the ground was worse than living under Arrogance.
“It's only been a few months since the wedding,” said Fear. “How much power could you offer a Harbinger if you did it tomorrow?”
A deep rumble that resembled a groan came from within the clouds. “If you seek to mock my power, I can ensure none of us leave this plane alive. I observed the Guardian team of Arrogance defeat your servant. Unless I allow my wrath to fully return, any Harbinger will suffer the same fate.”
“Diversion,” Serenna said as soon as the thought came to her. “Xavian and possibly Nuum are loyal to him. If your Harbinger attacks Xavian, it will force him to divert several of his Vanguards to defend his position.”
Both of Mary’s hands shook as she stepped forward. “From a tactical standpoint, the plan is sound, but I suspect Arrogance will simply allow Xavian to fall. We are nothing but puppets to him—”
“How fitting,” Death yelled. His cloud expanded enough to surround all of them. “Our enemy finds flaws in the plan of their annihilation. I like it. No, I love it. Either way, it's a victory for me.” As the cloud pressed forward, the glowing red eyes were fixated on Mary. “Eventually, mortals playing god always run out of people to sacrifice. Hide in your rainy grave for as long as I allow, but eventually, you will face the nothing, the forever, and the end. The nothing, the forever, and the end.” Death’s laugh echoed throughout the plains as the god faded away.
It had been a while since she had to console Francis and not the other way around. While a day without wine had been a disappointment, a clear head was clearly required. “Slow down, my beloved. Slow down, take a deep breath, and tell me everything. From the beginning.” She ignored the chuckles from Arrogance and maintained eye contact with her husband. By the gods, he shook in her arms.
“I, I, I…”
“Allow me,” Arrogance said, floating over towards them. “Hypothetically speaking, what would you say if I told you there was a congregation of the gods this evening, and that the best one did not receive an invitation?”
Take a deep breath and focus. Francis needs you. Calvin needs you. “If this leads to another puppeteer story, I’m drinking all the wine in Terrangus and heading back to bed.”
“Oh, Empress, you are going somewhere, but not bed. Not yet, at least.”
“Tell him no!” Francis yelled. He gripped her arm with a surprising amount of strength. Since it was unlikely Francis had become stronger, the more unfortunate alternative of Mary’s decline was apparent.
Mary shrugged at Arrogance. “But why? I doubt you trust me enough to negotiate any sort of terms.” A moment passed as she considered the alternative. “Fuck, you want me to die, don’t you?”
“Heavens no!” Arrogance said. “How I wish you were more intelligent. Allow me to make this perfectly clear to both of you. This is not a threat, but merely a declaration of truth: if at any point I desire your end, your end will occur. Scheming is for the manipulation of realms, not smashing insects. Now, stop disappointing your professor and take another guess.”
He sounded just annoyed enough for Mary to believe it was true. But what alternatives were there? Francis couldn’t go. Vanguards would be killed on sight. Mary would… Ah. “I’m the only one they won’t kill immediately.”
Arrogance chuckled, floating down the stairs. “Close enough. You’ve solved about eighty percent of the equation. I’ll leave you to find the remaining twenty.”
I already have. You don’t care if I die. There was no reason to say it out loud. Not with Francis already distraught. “Before I accept, what exactly do you need me to do? If I stroll into Sky Vaynex or whatever it is and make demands, I wager I’ll never see my favorite god again.”
“Simply do what you do best these days: nod drunkenly while other people speak.” Arrogance raised his spectral hand and a chalice of wine appeared. She swore she could smell the berries. “Despite common knowledge, warriors always make the best spies. The preconception they are all fools lets them steal from the minds of those who think they know better. Listen, and when it's time to speak, encourage their attack.”
Encourage their attack? Even Arrogance must have known the combined might of all their remaining enemies would lead to a swift defeat. “Have you grown tired of my kingdom? I’ll do as you ask, but I fear I’m only hastening the collapse of Serenity.”
Arrogance chuckled. “Hastening! What an interesting word that one is. Doubt me if you must, but if I have learned anything in three hundred years, it's that putting faith in the absurdity of freewill is a surefire way to invite defeat. Let them come. I hope there is an existence after divinity, a plane where Strength and Valor can welcome their ignorant comrades with open arms.”
“Whatever. May I please have my wine?” asked Mary, taking a step forward. The whole thing seemed like a trick. Arrogance probably wanted her to push for the invasion, just so the alliance would think it's a trick and not attack. But maybe he knew that? Maybe he anticipated her anticipation and sent her with a doomed task? Whew, enough of that. She grabbed the chalice from his spectral hand and took a large swig. It was delicious, of course. Liars always brew the best wine.
“Ask and you shall receive. Funny, I thought it would take more convincing. Should I find it strange that you willingly walk into the garden of freewill?”
She took another sip. “Why would following God’s orders be strange?”
“Are you certain?” asked Francis. “I would never doubt your mind or body, but to surround yourself with those who wish us dead… Is that truly wise?”
Not only was it unwise, but it was certainly one of the dumbest decisions she would ever make. “Most of them want me dead, but I doubt Sardonyx will allow it. Murdering an unarmed mother wouldn't be very glorious.”
“Glorious indeed,” Arrogance said.
Francis groaned and stepped away. It looked like he was trying to compose himself but couldn’t quite manage the look. “If any harm comes to my wife, I will burn every kingdom to the ground. Serenity will be on hold until my policy of scorched earth is complete. Am I clear?”
“Your voice has never been more clear, Emperor,” Arrogance said, floating forward. “But remove such thoughts from your mind. I am a pragmatic god, not a degenerate gambler. Our dear Mary will return to us. I guarantee it.”
“F… Fine!” Francis yelled. It nearly melted her heart to see him so distressed. “Before you go, I’ll answer my own damned question. How much can a person be damaged before they are considered broken? I am held together by the love of my wife and our son. Mary, beloved, please return to me. There is nothing we cannot accomplish together. All of these moments are mere footnotes in our own little Serenity.”
Unable to find the words, Mary kissed him, then stared at Arrogance. “When do I go?”
“Funny you should ask,” Arrogance said, raising both hands, then creating a portal. “How about…immediately? I usually prefer fashionably late, but this is one of those rare moments where it pays to be early.”
“So be it,” Mary said. She resisted the urge to look back at her husband, and stepped into the portal.
*
Travel by portals was usually jarring, but there was a calmness in the air that made everything okay. She nearly gasped at the familiarity of the wind brushing against her cheek, the bright green blades of grass coming up to her knees, and…it was him. Sardonyx Claw, Warlord of Vaynex, with a unicorn on one side and a zephum she had never met before—most likely Bloom—on the other.
“Mary Walker!” he yelled, noticeably not using her new last name. “Come forth! Let me look upon you!”
“Were you expecting me?” she asked, slowly stepping forward. It was surreal to see him in person again. The other gods all had ridiculous personas, but Sardonyx was simply Sardonyx.
“You are an unexpected surprise, but a surprise most welcome. Ah, look at you… You wear a mother’s fatigue! It is glorious!”
She wasn’t sure what that meant, but the words were spoken with such warmth, she couldn’t help but hug him. “Now that you mention it, old friend, I am tired. Very, very tired.”
“We all are, Guardian. Unfortunately, the next rest for some of us may end up our last.”
“Um, Boss, isn’t she the enemy? I know you can’t kill her, but do you want me to do it? We may want to get that done before the others arrive.”
“Silence!” he yelled, which caused his unicorn to rush off into the plains beyond. “This human and I have a glorious history. She once struck me in the face with her shield. Speaking of, where is your shield?”
“I haven’t held it in months,” she said, before the urge to lie pulled through. By all measures, the shield in her chambers was denser and more colorful, but the honor was missing. “Strength himself blessed that shield and, well, yeah. I don’t feel worthy anymore. Too much has changed in too short a time.”
“While we should always remain our own harshest critic, the view must be balanced with honor. Look at me, old friend. Do you truly believe I am worthy to become a god?”
“I—”
“Before you respond, remember the zephum tyrant you pledged a fair amount of time to destroying to avenge your father. I am still that zephum, but I am a zephum wearing the armor of experience. Here in the Great Plains in the Sky, we are all worthy, or none of us are.”
“Sardonyx, is there a way out of this without violence? Arrogance wants me to goad you into a full-on attack. I doubt we can stop you, but after the wedding, anything is possible.”
“Without violence?” Bloom yelled. “Tell that to fucking Vaynex. Violence is coming, Empress. I won’t do it here out of respect for Sardonyx, but by Tradition’s name, I’ll kill you and your son with one detonator.”
Perhaps it was foolish, but Mary walked right in front of Bloom. “Keep your grievances with me and my husband. Speak of my son again at your own risk.”
Yep, it was foolish. Bloom stepped forward and gave her a slight push, which nearly sent her flying. “Calvin Haide, emperor in waiting, son of a human bitch. I will nail his body to the citadel walls once you and the Arrogant One are dead.” She sighed and stepped away. “What are you even doing here? You’re supposed to be some human engager of legend, a warrior blessed by the mighty Pyith herself, and I get this skinny woman in a dress? Fuck off and go home. Lay with your husband a few more times before we burn Terrangus to the ground. Maybe get started on a new kid before I butcher—”
“Enough,” Sardonyx said. His voice wasn’t particularly loud but it shook the entire plains. “Regardless of circumstance, I will not tolerate threats against children. Not here, not in Vaynex, not anywhere. Am I clear—”
A new portal erupted behind them. Serenna emerged first, followed by a nightmare of a woman who could only be Fear. Mary had heard the tales but to see her in person was staggering. Fear wore the look of a true empress, with burning wings of black energy sprouting from her shoulders and a crystal in her eye that shone so brilliantly, it made the plains appear darker.
Fear surveyed the plains. She tried to hide it but the torment on her face was more clear than the sun burning above them. “We are truly in the end of times if the zephum arrived early. What… What is she doing here?” asked Fear, staring into Mary.
As startling as Fear’s voice was, it was nothing compared to Serenna rushing over and grabbing her. Damn, she was strong for a shorter woman. It was obvious which leader had been lounging around with wine and which had spent the past few months fighting for her life. “Where is my Zeen? You had the audacity to come here without him? You will never leave these plains alive. Never!”
Thankfully, Fear said, “Stop embarrassing me, Guardian. It's obvious that Ermias wants us to kill her. If you can’t control your emotions, then go back to Alanammus and let the adults speak. Never alter a dominant strategy.”
“What about you?” asked Mary. She pushed Serenna away and clenched her fists. “You crashed my wedding in some insane attempt to destroy the most powerful god in the realm. Zeen isn’t here because you threw him away.”
“Enough!” Fear and Tradition said at the same time. They gave each other a quick glance—Sardonyx grinned but Fear looked away.
But, it wasn’t enough. Serenna was out of her damn mind if she thought Mary would back down. “Everything was just fine until you and Valor decided to open the floodgates. Arrogance was never in a position to assault the realm. Your stupidity destroyed the Guardian force and most of the gold cloaks. All you had to do was nothing, but no, Serenna the Pact Breaker had to fuck everything up. Well, great job. Do you have any idea what it's like living under his rule? I drink every single night and day hoping that I won’t wake up to see another one. But it comes. Tomorrow always comes for those who don’t want it.”
Serenna grabbed the Wings of Mylor from behind her back. She stared into Mary as if she was a monster. Sadly, she probably was. “Spare me your pitiful excuses. I acted because evil was growing within your home. To ignore evil is to enable it, and I will never enable evil again.” The rage in her eyes descended into concern as the plains grew colder. Whatever it was, it certainly wasn’t the breeze.
“Serenna… Serenna, Serenna,” Death said. He was a black cloud in the skies, with a voice that echoed across the open plains. Despite his appearance, it was interesting the deity kept a safe distance. “When all the gods fail and all the gods fall, your destiny will always be linked to me.” The red eyes within the cloud looked around. “It is…surreal to have existed thousands of years and to see something for the first time. I can only wonder how many mortals I have sent to this plane. May they all think of me one last time before the void consumes them.”
“Guardians and gods alike, welcome to my home,” Sardonyx said. Despite the potential chaos, she had never seen the zephum more calm. “There are obviously several…issues with this summit. I ask for respect, cordiality, and restraint. If anyone violates these terms, they will regret their dishonorable mishap. For any grievances, speak them now, or forever hold your silence.”
Death laughed. “The only forever is the nothing and the end.”
“Perhaps I was not clear!” Sardonyx said, drawing his sword. “We are here to defeat the Arrogant One. As gods, it is only natural to be filled with pride, but never forget that pride is the sword of our enemy. Death! Fear! All I can do is request your cooperation. Before I waste words, I demand confirmation: can we coexist in the face of irrelevancy?”
It was alarming that no one responded.
Chapter 30
Diversion
For all of Serenna’s anger towards Mary, it was harrowing to look upon the black clouds of Death and face a reminder of her true nemesis. “Death, for as long as I recall, you have been my greatest enemy,” she said out loud, if only to break the silence. “Yet, our feud is nothing compared to Arrogance and the pantheon of gods. Let it be known that I pledge my cooperation. We shall destroy him together. I know how badly you yearn to send one of your own to the void.”
“He is not of my own,” Death yelled, rumbling the plains. Perhaps that last line had not been wise. “None of you are. I came here to speak, not listen, and speak I shall. Serenna: say my words, the words you know all too well. While it hasn’t been long enough since Gabriel to give you my full power, you don’t require it to do my bidding. I’ve seen the ecstasy of destruction in your eyes. The yearning to drown the Time God’s children, the—”
“No,” Sardonyx said. “We shall find another path. For as long as I live, you will never have her.”
“Oh, lizard beast, that may not be much longer. Have you already forgotten the result of our last skirmish? Draw your blade and face me again. This time, I can reunite you with your fallen son.”
Fear erupted with void energy; she floated into the air and materialized a glowing blade in her right hand. “Give me reason, Death. We can kill Ermias, or we can simply kill you. I’m fine with either scenario.”
Serenna nearly jumped as Mary grabbed her by the shoulder. “Do something! If this leads to a free-for-all, the realm is lost! Arrogance cannot win!” There was genuine terror on Mary’s face, accentuated by the puffy cheeks she used to see on David.
“Do you truly desire that result? Mary, if you lose…”
Tears rolled down her cheeks as she said, “I know. I’ve known since the day I became a mother. Just don’t harm my son. Despite his parents, I swear to you he is innocent. He is too perfect to have come from me. He is too perfect for anything.”
“All children are innocent,” Serenna said. What an awkward scenario. Unsure of what to do, she pulled Mary in and hugged her. “I know what it is to be flawed. I still love you. He will never become emperor, but no harm will come to Calvin. I will raise him as if he were my own son.” It was far too late to wonder if the words were true. Zeen would surely agree…if he made it out alive.
Serenna clutched the Wings of Mylor and entered her empowered form. While it stopped the bickering, it had the unfortunate effect of drawing every god’s gaze to her. Let them watch. She shielded herself, Fear, and Sardonyx, then created a giant crystal spike and hovered it in the air. “While I wager we cannot win without you, Death, I also wager you cannot win without us. Stop this reprehensible display of ignorance and forge an alliance. Victory shall be the protocol of Valor.”
With a quick swipe, Fear shattered her own crystal shield. She glared at every mortal and god but eventually sheathed her blade. “So be it. Where reality fails, dreams are eternal.”
Sardonyx let out a mighty guffaw. He slammed his blade into the ground. His unicorn reared and neighed gloriously. “Strength without honor—is CHAOS!”
Death didn’t appear to be impressed, though it was near impossible to gauge any sort of emotions through those glowing eyes. The dark cloud that covered whatever his body was expanded throughout the plains. “I agree to nothing before there is a plan in motion, and here is mine: I propose we turn Serenna into my Harbinger and unleash her upon Terrangus. If you have an alternative, speak it now. I tire of listening to the lesser gods yell out broken promises.”
One of you better speak, Serenna thought, having no intentions of ever accepting that power again. “Saving” a realm by burning it to the ground was worse than living under Arrogance.
“It's only been a few months since the wedding,” said Fear. “How much power could you offer a Harbinger if you did it tomorrow?”
A deep rumble that resembled a groan came from within the clouds. “If you seek to mock my power, I can ensure none of us leave this plane alive. I observed the Guardian team of Arrogance defeat your servant. Unless I allow my wrath to fully return, any Harbinger will suffer the same fate.”
“Diversion,” Serenna said as soon as the thought came to her. “Xavian and possibly Nuum are loyal to him. If your Harbinger attacks Xavian, it will force him to divert several of his Vanguards to defend his position.”
Both of Mary’s hands shook as she stepped forward. “From a tactical standpoint, the plan is sound, but I suspect Arrogance will simply allow Xavian to fall. We are nothing but puppets to him—”
“How fitting,” Death yelled. His cloud expanded enough to surround all of them. “Our enemy finds flaws in the plan of their annihilation. I like it. No, I love it. Either way, it's a victory for me.” As the cloud pressed forward, the glowing red eyes were fixated on Mary. “Eventually, mortals playing god always run out of people to sacrifice. Hide in your rainy grave for as long as I allow, but eventually, you will face the nothing, the forever, and the end. The nothing, the forever, and the end.” Death’s laugh echoed throughout the plains as the god faded away.
