Page 62 of The Gods Veiling
“That’s correct and a grave mistake on our part. Millennia ago, our egos truly blinded us. We thought we were above all and any below us didn’t deserve our attention. We spent more time making our presence known to the nonmagical realm than our very powerful counterparts.
“The Valories crossed a line with their creator, Elementra, once upon a time. She swore that her power would be found in every realm from that moment on, and she’d make sure none of the other creators stepped out of line again. She’s the being who created all the portals in every realm. Every passage is because of her.
“As godly of me as it’d be to sit here and tell you the Valorian Veil is the most powerful of all the realms, that’d be untrue. We aren’t far behind, but she’s still more powerful. As are her beings.”
I’m hypnotized by the soft story he’s telling. I’ve always had a desire to learn about the unknown. It’s what brought on my curiosity with the Unclaimed. I’m positive now, the being that placed the barrier separating them from us is from this realm he’s speaking of.
“I’m fascinated, really, and I’d like all the information on this realm that you have, but what does this have to do with anything?”
“When the portal to Elementra closed, it caused an uproar with the Beginning Gods and the Domain Gods. Relationships were already strained. That was going to make or break us. Many ideas, plans, and nonsense were thrown around as we tried to figure out a way to preserve the power we had been receiving from that realm. It was pure and raw. Not something we wanted to give up.
“After we came to an agreement, we also decided we’d try to replicate their power system. The beings from there that were stuck here went into hiding as soon as the portal closed. Those that were found, refused to speak about their creator. They warned us that she’d know if something happened to them at the hands of the gods. We listened to that threat at the direction of the Valories and…another one of their creations. So we kept searching for answers.
“Very minimal was found, yet a single page that was ripped in two held a firsthand account of Elementra’s dynamic. It was the only source of genuine information found within the Valorian Veil. One of her beings had written it. They have what they refer to as a Nexus. It’s a unit built by four men and one woman where their power is interwoven irreversibly. It makes them many times stronger.”
My eyes bug out of my head as the dots connect. “The gods copied them and created the Valtrue.”
“Correct, but we didn’t fully understand how connected those four men and one woman truly were. That’s why our Valtrues haven’t worked. Sure, some of them grow close and create a very functioning group that operates better than others. Yet they aren’t as powerful or cohesive as a Nexus seemed to be. We were missing information on why that was. I was gifted that missing piece.”
His hand dips into his pocket and my heart attempts to crawl out of my chest. He pulls out an ancient-looking piece of parchment and smooths it out. It’s been folded pristinely, and the ink is still as black as I’m sure the day it was written.
“That’s the other piece of that page,” I whisper.
“It is. It appeared to me many, many years ago and within it held the answer to why the Valtrues weren’t working. We’ve been tying them together solely based on similarities in domains, Designations, and power strengths. That was inaccurate. They need the same level of strength but should’ve been built diversely elsewhere. Their differences should complement each other, not compete. The other difference is, they’re truly bonded together. Their female isn’t just the center focus. Her soul ties them as one.”
My body freezes like I’ve just been thrown into the Lost Sea. Everything within me screams to run.
“The High Chancellor didn’t mention this in his explanation. Which means you’ve never told the other gods, but you’re telling me. Why?”
“You’ll soon learn, Thayla, not all the Beginning and Domain Gods get along. And I don’t just mean they don’t see eye to eye. There’s a realm of mess and danger that you’re preparing to enter. Secrets Godsden holds very close.
“One of those secrets is an incomplete Valtrue here at the Godsdawn. I’ve known them longer than I’ve known you, and they know me just as well. They’re the only group to ever be paired with differing Domains and Designations yet hold the same strength. I’ve been patiently waiting to complete their Valtrue. You’re their complement. Your soul will seal itself to theirs perfectly.”
I backpedal away from him and jerk my head in denial. I don’t even fully understand what this means, but I know I don’t want it. I don’t want to be tied—my soul to be tied—to four men for the rest of my existence.
That means forever.
No.
“Derivius, what you’re saying is crazy and…and impossible. You can’t do anything to people’s souls. You can’t tie my soul to other people. Do they know you want to do this? Why would you do this?”
“There’s much to a god’s soul that you don’t know yet but will. The boys are as unaware as you and it’s not only my choice, Thayla. There’s much at play in our realm that you don’t understand. Our downfall started more than a millennium ago and over the last two-hundred-plus years, has escalated. The peak of our problems is coming.
“Know this, the Valories have abandoned only but a few of their original creations and I am one of those. The gods may have turned their backs on me, but the creator has not and they’re trying to right the wrongs they made with their creations without disrupting our balance once again.”
My back hits the railing on the other side of the porch and realm-quaking tremors surge through me. Panic ignites everywhere within me now that I have nowhere to go, and my watering eyes stay glued to the god inching toward me.
His hands are held up in an innocent gesture, but I couldn’t care less. There’s no way for him to spin this to make it any better.
“Why? Why the fuck me? I don’t understand any of this. I don’t want any of this. I never wanted to be with the gods and follow their way of life. Now you’re saying I’m some…some chosen freak. A pawn for you and the Valories,” I shout as he finally stands in front of me and lays his hands on my shoulders.
“I know you didn’t, but that’s what makes you perfect. Your distaste for the gods is what we need. You’re not some chosen freak. Many, many of us have our roles to play. Some have already accomplished their duties, while others, you, the boys, me, and many others, still have work to do. I’m so sorry. Many of us who have guided and protected you are sorry.”
Many…I haven’t been around many—
The air in my lungs hardens to stone. “Them. They knew. Meridamus…my parents. My parents knew.”
His eyes soften even though they swirl with his powers. The colors within them start to blend as one as his full strength roars to the surface.
