Alistar calmly crossed his arms. “That wasn’t my brother, nor was it your lover.”
The goddess would have responded, but Alistar’s claim felt so outlandish she was unable to.
The God of the Harvest leaned against the goswig’s perch. “I thought that would capture your attention.”
Celestria’s stare was so hot it could have burned a hole through Alistar. “You best have an explanation above all other explanations, or I’ll return to Ancients Sovereign and tell Gabriel everything you’ve said.”
Alistar nodded. “I’m not a stupid being. I knew this would be hard on you.”
“Ha! Other than you sentencing my love to eternal damnation, what could be so hard?”
“The being that was sentenced was not the one who claims to love you. As I told you in the hall, we’ve all been deceived ... most of all, me.”
The God of the Harvest waved his hand across a section of dirt behind the goddess. A throne fit for Celestria’s grace appeared near the edge of the water. “Perhaps you should take a seat.”
The skin between the Goddess of Beasts’ brows wrinkled. “I don’t want to sit.”
“Once you hear what I have to say, you may.”
A confused look appeared on Celestria’s face. “You’re up to something.”
Alistar smiled. “I’m not against you. You need to know that. I know you have many questions, and I promise to answer them. But before I go any further, you need to understand that I feel as betrayed as you will once you learn the truth.”
“Stop posturing. Tell me something that will make we want to stay, or I’ll leave.”
Alistar motioned to the chair. Once Celestria realized it was pointless to argue, she lowered onto it, and then he continued. “Not only has my brother abandoned his love for you, he has also turned his back on me.”
“How has he betrayed you?” Celestria snapped.
“His betrayal was made evident when he failed to tell me he took your son out of the care of George’s family. He has run off with my nephew.”
The goddess was quick to rebut. “How does his secrecy suggest betrayal? The two of you have hidden things from me in the past. Why are you above Lasidious’ mischief?”
“It was agreed upon before the God Wars began that we would never hide anything from one another. Lasidious’ theft of the baby diverts from our promise. There was no reason for him not to tell me. When he went into seclusion after your argument, I truly believed he needed moments to himself, but now I know otherwise.”
Celestria leaned forward in her chair. “I know about Garrin. I know Lasidious took him.”
“Good. Then you’ll be relieved to know that I’ve been searching for him ever since I learned of his disappearance.”
“I believe Garrin is on Hell,” Celestria blurted.
Alistar took a moment to feign his surprise. “Perhaps I should’ve come to you sooner, but I felt you wouldn’t listen. When last we spoke, your words suggested all was well, yet the subtleties in your actions left me with the impression that you believed me a liar.”
Celestria nodded. “I believed you were protecting Lasidious. I thought you were plotting against me. I still do.”
A long moment of silence passed while Alistar forced a tear to roll down his cheek. “I would never conspire against you. It breaks my heart that you think I would. I’ve watched you give your love to another for over 10,000 seasons, and during that entire series of moments, I’ve wanted you for myself. I could never hurt you the way Lasidious has.”
Celestria stood from her chair and moved behind it. “I don’t know what to say.”
Alistar allowed the goddess the moments to process.
Eventually, Celestria refocused. “This feels like a game, yet I can see no logic behind it if it is one.”
Alistar maintained his silence.
Another few moments passed before Celestria spoke again. “Even if your affections for me are genuine, they don’t explain why Lasidious would betray us.” She circled to the front of her throne and reclaimed her seat. “I can almost understand Lasidious betraying me, but you’re his kin. Why would he abandon the only relationship he has that is bound by blood?”
The God of the Harvest frowned. “You know Lasidious as well as I. When have you ever known him to seek anything but absolute power?”
“Never, but seeking it at the expense of his own brother is inexcusable.”
Alistar pushed clear of the perch. “Careful, Celestria, you sound as if you’re starting to take my side.”
“I wouldn’t find too much comfort in that if I was you,” the goddess rebutted.
Grinning, Alistar moved to the edge of the island. “You may be interested to know that I found Garrin, and the real Lasidious is with him.”
Celestria reached up and covered her mouth. “Where? Is Garrin not on Hell like I thought he was? I want him with me. I’ve already made a deal with the Book to ensure he won’t hurt Garrin. Gabriel has promised to allow him to stay with me on Ancients Sovereign.”
Now it was Alistar’s turn to look confused. “Why would Gabriel spare the child’s existence? His birth was against the laws of the gods. And why would you tell the Book about his birth in the first place?”
The goddess leaned back in her chair. “I was angry.”
“Angry enough to risk the safety of your own son?”
“No! I entered into a Promise of the Gods with Gabriel.”
“What kind of promise?”
“In exchange for my help, Gabriel has agreed to spare Garrin and allow me to remain on Ancients Sovereign, but I won’t be a member of the Collective any longer.”
“What help did you offer?”
“Gabriel believes my relationship with Lasidious will be of use to him. But now it appears the Book will not need my help after all. Garrin is safe, and I don’t have to betray Lasidious.”
“So you’re at the Book’s beckoned call?”
The goddess reluctantly nodded. “After Gabriel agreed to spare Garrin, I went to Luvelles to retrieve him. It was then I learned that Lasidious had taken him. As we speak, George is on Hell searching for my baby. In return, I agreed to help George once Garrin was found.”
“Why would you send a mortal to perform a task of that magnitude?” Alistar queried.
“Who else was I to send?” Celestria defended. “If I was right, and Lasidious was on Hell, he would’ve run as soon as he felt my presence. With Gabriel placing the damned on that world, I believed Lasidious was hiding on the mainland. George has the power to defend himself from most any enemy, and with the damned far from the mainland, the warlock has the moments to find Garrin.”
Alistar shook his head. “His search is no longer necessary. George may be powerful for a human, but there are still many enemies on Hell that I would consider formidable foes. You may have sent him to his end.”
Celestria sighed. “If you know where Garrin is, I can retrieve the warlock and his cat and deliver them to Luvelles. He doesn’t need to stay on Hell.”
A short period of silence passed before the God of the Harvest responded. “We should leave George where he’s at for now. But rather than send him in any direction, we’ll send him to the Mountains of Gannesh with his jaguar. That’s where Lasidious took Garrin. They’re hidden beneath the mountains in Lasidious’ new underworld. You were right. They’re on the mainland.”
“Why send George? Together, we could retrieve my baby,” Celestria urged.
“We cannot. Well, not yet anyway.”
“Why?”
“Because Lasidious now possesses the body of the Vampire King. He has transferred his soul and the majority of his power into Tardon’s old body.”
A look of disbelief appeared on Celestria’s face. “I don’t believe you. Lasidious would never sacrifice his godliness to possess another immortal being.”
Alistar reached down and picked up a pebble off the island and sent it skipping across the water. “Your belief isn’t necessary
for it to be a fact. Lasidious switched bodies with Tardon, but his reasons remain his own.”
“How do you know this?”
As Alistar returned to the perch, he responded. “I’ve been spying on my brother to learn his intentions. After I learned of Garrin’s disappearance, you could say I felt uneasy.”
To avoid being talked into a corner, Alistar quickly changed the subject. “Garrin is in jeopardy. The baby is addicted to the Vampire Queen’s milk. To take Garrin from her bosom would be harmful, and it could drive the baby mad. We’re going to need a plan. Since the laws on the Book’s pages won’t allow us to take Yolan to Ancients Sovereign, Garrin will need to stay where he’s at until we can find a way to reverse the effect of the milk.”
A look of disgust appeared on Celestria’s face. “It sickens me to know that my son has been feeding from her bosom.”
“He hasn’t been feeding in that manner. The child has been feeding from a bottle, not from her teat.”
Celestria sighed.
“You seem relieved. Why?”
“I don’t know exactly. I suppose I’m glad that Garrin has not been feeding directly from her breasts. A bottle somehow seems less ... well, less offensive.”
Alistar shook his head. “My nephew feeding from a bottle doesn’t make what Lasidious has done any less wrong. He’s using Yolan’s milk to gain the child’s trust.”
“Why would Garrin distrust him?”
“I’m unsure. The child has been wavering. One moment, he allows Lasidious to touch him, and then another, he won’t.”
After a breeze passed through the alcove, Celestria had to reach up to push her hair clear of her face. “None of this makes sense. Why would Lasidious give up his godliness to occupy Tardon’s body?”
Alistar shrugged. “Because he clearly didn’t know he possessed the power to control the Collective.”
“But that does not explain why his actions are as rash as this.”
“Perhaps he intends to reascend by using Garrin. That would explain the use of the Vampire Queen’s milk.”
Celestria shook her head. “How could he possibly reascend? With a switch of this magnitude, he can’t even summon the power of a Titan. Garrin cannot fix that.”
Alistar crossed his arms. “Are you sure about that? He also has Sam’s baby, and we both know the child was resurrected using the juice of the nasha. Think about it. What does he intend to do now that you know the full picture?”
A fair series of moments passed while Celestria processed. She gasped. “How could he do that to those innocent, little babies...?”
CHAPTER 17
Bagges Weed
Ancients Sovereign
Alistar’s Palace
2 Peaks have Passed, Late Bailem Approaches
FELLOW SOUL … AFTER THE EVENTS UNFOLDED in the Book’s hall, Sharvesa’s mind was filled with questions, and without answers, she was unable to focus. The demon-goddess returned to Harvestom to inform Mosley that his training would be temporarily placed on hold, but when the wolf asked why, the goddess did not offer a reason. Instead, she promised to return and then teleported back to Ancients Sovereign.
Since Sharvesa had no idea where Alistar was, she waited at the table beyond the foyer of his palace for the God of the Harvest to return. She knew from her previous visit that Alistar’s palace notified him whenever company visited.
When Alistar finally appeared, Sharvesa’s legs were bouncing as she sat with her back facing the table.
“I’m sorry for making you wait, but I assure you I had no choice.”
The demon stood and moved to the center of the foyer where the God of the Harvest was standing. “It has been 2 Peaks, Alistar.”
He nodded. “As I said, I had no choice.”
Sharvesa reached up and grabbed her horns. “My mind is filled with questions. How could you attack Lasidious and send our brother to an eternal torment after we agreed it would take the three of us to accomplish our plans? Did he do something against you, or is this a ruse that I should be informed of? He can’t truly be gone.”
The God of the Harvest smiled. “You’re an inquisitive being. Perhaps the moment has come for you to learn the real truth. I’ve longed for the moment when I could see the look on the Collective’s faces after they discover my identity. I might as well start with you.”
“What are you referring to? You showed me your identity.”
Alistar chuckled. “Not really.”
“What do you mean? I don’t understand.”
“It’s simple. Lasidious and I claimed you were our sister. That isn’t true ... nor am I demon. I’m an imposter ... a master of identities. Only Lasidious is your brother. There’s so much more to me than who the Collective believes I am.”
“You’re confusing me. I thought—”
Alistar spoke above Sharvesa. “Stop thinking! You’re clearly unable to employ productive thought.” The God of the Harvest took a few steps back. As he did, he continued to speak. “We’re all children of a father, are we not? But my father is not your father. There is not a single drop of blood that is shared between us.”
Sharvesa’s brows furrowed. “I don’t understand.”
“You will, I assure you. Just watch.” As the identity of the God of the Harvest manifested, Sharvesa’s eyes widened. Alistar was right. He was not truly known by the Collective. Sharvesa would be the first to witness his glory. By the moment his transformation was complete, Alistar’s overall height had increased two-fold.
Sharvesa’s voice trembled. “I know you. I thought you had perished. I thought you all had perished before the Almighty’s reign of a thousand seasons. How could you be here?”
“You were told wrong, Sharvesa. So were the others. You should stop wondering how, and start fearing my return.” As Alistar spread his wings, a majestic, soft-white glow encompassed his being. He was beautiful, with long, flowing hair, a powerful frame and deep, blue eyes.”
Sharvesa dropped to her knees. “Please ... please ... ease my mind, and don’t leave me wondering. Are there more of you that survived?”
With his wings folding against unblemished armor, Alistar stepped forward and placed his hand on top of Sharvesa’s head. It only took a touch—the softest touch—for a sense of peace to fill her being. “There are many others. It appears your memory is more intact than you led me to believe. I’d love to answer more of your questions, but alas, the moments are not available to me for a conversation of that magnitude.”
Sharvesa nodded. “You’re right. I don’t need to understand. I would abandon my loyalty to the Collective to stand at your side. I’d follow you. Whatever you would have me do, I’d do it without waver.”
Alistar reached down to caress Sharvesa’s cheek with the backside of his fingers. “As pure as you proclaim your intentions are, you’re a liability, and I need to know the extent of my power.”
Sharvesa was quick to respond. “I could help you realize your power. Just give me the chance.”
A tender smile appeared on Alistar’s face. “I know you would try. And you should be rewarded for your loyalty, but the answer I seek demands that you be ended.”
“But I could be of use to you,” Sharvesa protested. “I don’t care for the others. Let me prove myself. I can be everything you need me to be.”
The god placed his hand under Sharvesa’s chin and lifted her head. He bent down and kissed her softly on the lips. “I’m not strong enough to fight them all. I cannot risk the consequences of loose lips. Good-bye, Sharvesa.”
The demon-goddess would have begged, but her ability to speak had been stripped. She would have stood, but her legs would no longer function. As tears welled in the corner of her eyes, she knew her sentence was extinction.
A moment later, Alistar buried his fist into Sharvesa’s chest and ripped her soul from her body. Her corpse fell to the floor, and as her horns bounced against the marble, he devoured her spirit.
With the god standing over the demon’
s corpse, he whispered, “They’re all fools. The Book’s belief that he has control over me is a pleasant fiction. I so love the games the Collective plays. I’ll enjoy the look on their faces once I reclaim enough of my former glory to make a stand with my brethren. Lasidious is a fool to believe that I was his brother, and I was a fool to believe that the Source would remain passive.”
Looking down at Sharvesa’s corpse, the god opened his mouth and fire erupted from it. The goddess’ empty vessel turned to ash as Alistar knelt next to the pile, ingested the dust, licked his lips and then vanished.
Meanwhile, Northern Grayham
With the water swelling inside the chasm that was left behind by the collapsed hollow, a young Isorian sergeant turned to flee his post. “Sire!” he shouted as he sprinted across the ice. “The gashtion approaches!”
The men of the Isorian and Tormalian armies had collected a massive amount of meat to set the trap. They had worked feverishly to place it in a gigantic pile near the edge of the chasm, and then they returned to the safety of the tunnel that led back to Hydroth.
With the sergeant jumping over the holes that had been torn into the ice by the gashtions’ claws during their previous battle, Shiver, Gablysin, Gage, Gallrum, Medolas and the priestess were hiding inside one of the alcoves of safety. The king had chosen the nook just south of the one that had collapsed beneath the gashtions’ weight. It was from this spot they intended to stage their offensive.
The king pulled his eyes off the runner and turned to address the ruby eyed man and the goswigs. “You must be bold, yet prudent. If the remainder of the priestess’ plan fails, you must teleport to safety.”
Gablysin knelt next to Gage. “We shall wait for the gashtion to consume the meat. Once its belly has been filled, teleport us to its location.”
As the gashtion crested the cliffs that dropped into the chasm, it tore into the ice, sending chunks falling into the water. Not only did the beast use the claws of its feet, it also used a special claw that protruded from a joint on the front of each wing. With the gashtion’s body being so enormous, its tail and hind legs remained in the water as it lowered its snout to sniff the pile of meat.
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