Page 103 of Daughter of the Serpent

Lafar protected the people fiercely, and under his vigilant watch, they thrived. They revered him, and he appeared content with their worship and praise. But as the seasons turned, so did the people’s favor. Word had spread about Hallva’s good deeds, his love of humanity and how he had sheltered them from many a storm, and despite Lafar’s care, their gratitude and sacrifices began to shift toward Hallva. When new babies were born they cried out in thanks to the All - Father. When they waged war upon new lands, they prayed for Hallva’s favor. When the crops grew thin, they asked for Hallva's blessing. Soon, when Lafar saw that the people had done this, despite all that he had done for them, he felt anger in his heart, and it became clear that he would forever stay within his brother’s shadow. A sickness took root. Jealousy and hatred festered, spreading like poison until it ate him whole.”

“Though he had once loved his brother, that love soured under the awareness that he would always pale in comparison, and soonthat weight became unbearable. His hatred grew so deep that he sought to punish both the people and Hallva for their mistakes - if he could not earn their love, he would earn them through fear. So he betrayed them. He turned on the humanity he had been entrusted to protect - Hallva’s most cherished creation. He deemed that he would create a fear to bind the people to him, to make them his forever.”

Sylvie flinched, a cold shiver coursing through her.

“So, he created death.” He said lowly. “First, the people began to age. Then, suffer. They lost loved ones to accidents and tragedies. The strongest warriors fell in battle, deceived by Lafar’s promises of glory. Where once they had thrived, they now crumbled, learning the sting of death and defeat for the first time.”

Her eyes widened.

“And he didn’t stop there. When the people were mortal and vulnerable, he then created the Karnikim - the inhuman beasts that ravished the lands and began to tear apart our people piece by piece, killing our loved ones, and destroying our homes and villages. Whipping our existence almost from memory….it was only when the first high priest cried out to the gods that they finally saw what had happened, and intervened. Because of him, we were all saved from Lafar’s wrath.”

Sylvie’s eyes widened. “And Lafar?”

“After Lafar had done his evil work, he disappeared. The gods scoured the realms, but even now, no one knows where he is - or what he has become.” He told her. “Some say he still walks among us, taking a human form. Some say he fled to the edges of the world itself to stay cloaked and hidden from Hallva’s eyes. Others say he turned into a great snake that still slithers the earth and spreads his curse among the people, deceiving others into darkness wherever he goes.”

Godvick’s words lingered in the air, heavy and weighted.

“Lafar wasn’t always evil,” He said softly. “But he allowed his desire for power to sicken him, and turn him into someone no one, not even his own brother could recognize.”

Silence enveloped them as they both watched the flickering flames, and Sylvie felt her heart sink further into her chest.

This was her supposed legacy? This was the god she was said to have fathered her, or cursed her with his mark?She shivered involuntarily.

“What if he has returned, Godvick?” She asked, fear still holding her in its vice. “The Karnikim are already rumoured to have attacked those in the forest, those close to the wall.”

“There hasn’t been a confirmed sighting in years.” He objected. “And the rumours are exactly that - rumours, until proven otherwise.”

She shook her head. “But you said yourself, this bear, it could be - ”

“I said it could be agod,” He corrected. “Lafar is only one possibility. But I would not go assuming anything. In all my years of study I have learned this, that as soon as you think you know something, something will come along to prove you wrong. It is good to remain open to all possibilities, not assume, and trust nothing but the irrefutable truth. This is what I would advise you to do now.”

She nodded, her worries somewhat subsided by his words. “And if it is him?”

He paused, his eyes meeting hers, a sharpness there that she hadn’t seen before. “Then gods help us all.”

Chapter Seventeen

The midafternoon sun warmed Sylvie’s face as she stepped out into the village square, her eyes seeking his familiar face. Axel had told her to meet him there instead of their usual training spot, and something twisted in her gut at the sudden change of scenery. She didn’t like going into the village, and didn't like to be conspicuous. Nothing good ever came from being amongst the people, out in the open, vulnerable.

She hoped he had a good reason.

It had been a few days since the night of the Rekindling, and thankfully no whispers had arisen about the bear, and her evenings exertions had remained a secret. Regardless, she had been keeping up appearances - between her regular temple duties, combat training, and magical practices, her days and nights blurred, packed to the brim. Under Axel’s watchful eye, she had mastered conjuring flame, even been learning to draw runes and harness their power. Her footwork had sharpened, and Axel had begun allowing her to use a steel blade - a small privilege that left a hint of warmth in her bones.

Regardless of her progress, her victories had felt hollow.

She’d hoped that her advancements might bring a sense of validation -not just from herself, but from her mentor. Despite the glimpses of vulnerability Axel had shown before, he had quickly retreated behind his usual barriers. His demeanor was sharp and distant, and their conversations had reverted to clipped instructions, all focused on her training. Part of her knew this distance was probably for the best, but another part yearned to delve deeper, to once more soften his edges and glimpse whatever lay beneath his closed chest. Instead, their connection felt as remote and elusive as it had been at the beginning.

Haldor wasn’t much different.

The night they had shared - one of unexpected closeness and reconfigured feeling - now lingered between them like a fragile thread, easily broken. They’d both agreed that maintaining distance was the wisest choice, avoiding any suspicions after the events of the Rekindling. Sylvie couldn’t afford anymore rumors or gossip reaching the elder’s ears - and part of her couldn’t help but feel relieved by the space. She needed the time to sort out her tangled feelings, to make sense of everything that had been changing between them.

Suddenly, laughter, shouts, and the clash of metal filled the air, and a chill slithered down her spine. It couldn’t be a coincidence that today of all days, when something was clearing happening, Axel had drawn her out to the village.

Thankfully she was wearing her new training leathers which she hoped would let her blend in, rather than stand out. She glanced down at herself, the fabric stretched taunt against her skin, shaping her form in ways she still wasn’t used to, a far cry from the white shapeless robes she hid beneath daily. It had made her feel exposed at first, but now, they felt strangely right. They carried a statement - that she was something more, something different then what she had always been, and somehow such knowledge made her stand taller.

“You made it,” Axel’s voice sliced through her thoughts, his tone deceptively light as his eyes swept over her. He leaned casually against a tree at the edge of the marketplace, his dark leathers blending into the shadows. The sharp lines of his figure cutthrough the noise around them, his presence like a blade hidden in plain sight. When their eyes met, his amber gaze seemed to gleam beneath his hood - intense, unreadable, and far too perceptive. Another shiver ran through her, that familiar pull of energy that seemed to knot itself around her chest whenever he looked at her, as if he could see straight through to her thoughts.

“Why so ill at ease?” The words were innocent, but beneath them, she sensed the tension thrumming between them, the unspoken challenge in his stare. Whatever he had planned, made her insides squirm.

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