Page 35 of The Other Side

“Oh Ozias,” I called to him, gripping my walking stick. “Would you please join us?” Whispers and questions breached the humans as they continued to look for him, unaware that he stood among them, ignoring me. “Ozias, please, join yoursister.”

“Sister?”

“Did she say sister?”

“I can’t be, can it?”

“Oh, yes. Ozias is the brother of Cypress—well, baby brother. Apparently, the gods have decided us humans are not worthy of knowing the truth of their existence. Only the perceptions of their chosen realities.” Ozias gently shook his head, insulted that I used his words against him. He refused to budge, telling me he would not be so easily controlled, just as I expected.

“It seems the mighty god of the heavens is shy, too scared to step forward and reveal himself.” Coward. I looked over to Cypress, nodding as her flames flickered with excitement. “You have left me no choice, oh mighty god.”

I stepped back and joined Tuft and Bastien as Cypress took center stage, her power growing with the dark expression of absolute chaos that brewed within her beautiful, godly face. She raised her arms, her elbows tucked as hellfire slithered from the crack in the platform and wrapped around her legs, reaching up to her fingers. She raised a single hand and flexed her fingers as her power shot in the direction of her brother in an angry snarl. The people near him screamed and shouted in fear. A burst of golden light ruptured from his core, blocking her power as he now stood in his ethereal form, the crowd backing away from him in awe.

“Welcome, baby brother,” Cypress snickered, her flames turning white as the celestial siblings glared at one another.

I quickly moved to Tuft and handed him the two vials. His eyes met mine as he noticed the one with the sun charm.

“Iris,” he breathed. I clasped my hands around his, concealing them from the two gods.

“You know what to do.”

“Iris, no.” I gripped his hand, my magic shocking him as I stared into his molten eyes.

“Trust me, Tuft.” He flared his nostrils. “I promise, you will be free. I will get you your wings. Just do this, for me.Please.” He reluctantly nodded, turning to watch as the two gods continued to bicker publicly.

“Join us, brother!” Cypress looked at me. I flashed her a devious smile and joined her back in the center of the platform.

“Yes! Join us, Ozias, god of the heavens!” I shouted.

Ozias huffed, reluctantly stepping towards the platform. His sunshine eyes shot to me, burning my soul as he joined opposite his sister. The atmosphere around us split into two as half of the swamp remained in a sullen storm brewing in the distance while Cypress bore her eyes into her brother. The other half of the bayou had cleared, sunshine peeking through as it reflected off Ozias’ golden flaked skin. The two remained locked on another. I looked past them and out to the crowd, silenced in absolute shock and awe. I had become so accustomed to being in their presence, I almost forgot how baffling it must be to see.

“It is a sight to behold, is it not? Two gods standing before you in their ethereal forms!” Concerning whispers carried with the breeze. “Do not fear, people of the bayou. I promise, neither of the two celestials will harm you.” I glared at them over my shoulder. “Not if they want the very thing they came for.”

Cypress’ face twisted as she glanced from Ozias to myself, silently questioning my words. Ozias too seemed confused,looking from his sister to me. I turned my face back towards the crowd and motioned with my hand. Tuft quickly joined me with three silver glasses in hand. I retrieved one for myself as he stood between the two gods and offered them each a glass.

They exchanged a look before both turned to look at me.

“No more games,” I whispered to Cypress. She stared down at the glass filled with the glowing potion. The fear of the unknown was clear as day across her face as she looked at Ozias, equally confused.

“A potion for us both?” Her attention returned to me as he inhaled deeply. “No more games.” Cypress hesitated a moment before taking the silver cup. Tuft looked at Ozias, watching as he remained still, refusing to even take the offered glass.

“What is wrong baby brother? Are you too afraid to drink from a mortal’s cup? Too godly to touch anything less than that perfect, precious gold you surround yourself with? Or does seeing the Pegasus who caused your son’s murder sour your mood?” She grinned. He snatched the glass, holding it close as I exhaled in relief and addressed the crowd once more.

“A toast!” I raised my cup high. “To the gods!” Cypress and Ozias mimicked my movements and raised their own glasses as the two took a sip, drinking all the potion.

Cypress licked her lips, breathing a gleeful exhale as she chucked the silver cup aside, unaffected. She watched Ozias’ face drop in disappointment. His eyes widened as he looked at his cup in disbelief. I closed my eyes and quickly downed my own glass.

“At last!” Cypress shouted. “I have waited for this moment for far too long. Now, Iris-Marie! Oh, your reign ends tonight, Ozias! The time has come to—Iris—”

My harsh coughing stopped her rant as I began to choke on the potion, falling to my knees. Tuft ran to my aid and grabbed my arms as I cried out in pain, clutching my stomach as the mostexcruciating pain overtook me, a pain even worse than Cypress’ torture.

“I do not understand,” Cypress muttered aloud. “What is happening? What have you done to my human?”

My body twitched and snapped as I rolled to my back, knocking Tuft away. I screamed as tears of hellfire poured from my eyes and burned the flesh of my cheeks. My body began to convulse and shake, the blood within my veins boiling through my heart. I could feel Cypress’ power fighting the effects of the potion, crawling deeper into my soul as if to shield itself, but it was no use. It dripped into every essence of my being, burning all her hellfire, taking my magic with it.

“Iris!” Cypress screamed as she rushed to me. “What is happening? Tell me what is happening!” I could hear her voice quivering in fear.

“She has taken the very potion you intended to poison me with, sister. Mo chagren, but your witch is becoming human. Your power is leaving her, breaking your deal.”

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