Page 23 of The Gods Veiling
That binding was solidified by the creation of my undivided desperation and attention.
Despite everything I just said, the Chancellors, all gods with that level of power actually, are conceited. They’re so sure of themselves and their abilities, they’d never think someone would dare be disrespectful enough to search through this room.
My fingers trail over the book in the center. The black cover with pressed filigree has no words, no clues as to who the god that wrote this is or which one it’s written about.
The creak of the spine echoes and I stare at the first blank page, then the second.
No dedication, no scribbled notes, nothing.
My power flows freely from me the moment ink appears on the third page. I dive into the knowledge and the parchment flips faster than the wind. Six hundred pointless pages into the ten-thousand-page tome and annoyance pounds through me.
It’s not shocking in the least bit that the first percentage in the text is self-glorification of the Beginning Gods. They act just as superior in their everyday dealings. You’d think for a valued moment in history, they’d be honest. At least with themselves.
“Kyzen.”
His hurried steps echo through the distance between us until he comes to my side. “You found something?”
“Has this tome been read through more times than the others? And how much longer do I have?”
“Fifteen minutes,” he mumbles as he floats his hand over the top of the covers.
When he continues to drift back to the center one, I stop him. “That’s enough.”
I’ll stick with this one rather than wasting my time on the others.
I plunge back into the tome with abandon. I start right at the place I left off and skim through as many pages as I can that have the words Gods Binding on them.
So many mentions. So much pride in their creation.
I’d maybe agree with its original design. When the gods and our creator, the Valories as the entity’s been named, used it to strip evil and protect the realm. The essence of the gods that flows within it could heal a corrupt soul, balance power, and keep the Valorian Veil flourishing by recycling the essence back into the land.
As the gods received extra power through worship and prayer, as did the Binding. Then it would release it back.
Not anymore.
The Beginning Gods leave the now ungodly beings’ power stored in the Gods Binding forsafekeeping.
Sweat drips down my neck from how hard I’m pushing myself. The wind from the pages sailing before my eyes isn’t enough to cool the annoyance brewing beneath my skin.
The time I gave myself in this dangerous search is running out. Kyzen’s quiet retreat to the doors confirms that.
Finally, an answer appears to me. It’s not everything I need or want, but this is a promising start.
The original Gods Binding has been split many times over the millennia. Some pieces have been used to make sacred creations or helpful tools, while others were made for another purpose.
The Volreen and the Gods Veil are creations made and tied to each other as well as the Gods Binding. They function as a means to match the essence already flowing within the Binding at the Gods Sanctum. Once blood has been offered to the Volreen, its properties will remain there forever. Measured and weighed for its worth. Matched for its success.
For the success of the gods and the Valorian Veil.
The other purpose was for miniature, exact replicas of the Gods Binding to be created for each of the Beginning Gods. That purpose was so no one god would possess more power over the Binding or the others.
Not all the replicas have remained in the Beginning Gods’ hands. It has been a catalyst for many problems. The replicas can do everything the original Gods Binding can, but at a lower level of power.
The return or possible new ownership of those pieces has been an unwavering mission for many of the Beginning Gods.
By the grace of the Valories, none of these creations or pieces have been destroyed. Ruin would reign across the realm if that were to happen. The essences within would become catastrophic rather than creating. The power would return to all beings in a matter of pure chaos rather than controlled, balanced relief.
Appropriate release under the gods’ judgment and jurisdiction is what’s best for their beings.
