Page 29 of Curse of Immortality
“He is older than any human alive and more powerful than any Earthen. The Cobra is the force behind all Faders.”
“Faders? But I thought they were nothing but a myth,” Maeve whispered, partly to herself.
“I wish it was so. You Earthens are not the only species that humans don’t know about. Faders live amongst them as well, and they take everything they can get their hands on. They are thirsty for power and will do whatever it takes to get it. Thousands of years ago I thought of them as a nuisance much like when you discover a new type of weed in your garden. I’ve kept an eye on them but sadly, they are an intrusive species and have been attacking my Earthens. I now consider them dangerous to everything we serve to protect.”
“What are Faders exactly?”
“They are altered humans. The Cobra is their leader and father. It is he who gives them immortality at the price of being his slaves. He’s the oldest living creature on this Earth and I’m ashamed to say that I’ve underestimated him.”
Maeve’s eyes were large as she absorbed every word.
“The Cobra grew stronger so gradually that he managed to keep it hidden from me. While my attention was elsewhere, he has become the most dangerous man in the world and so powerful that even I can’t kill him. That’s why I need your help, Maeve.”
Maeve was both terrified and honored to be tasked with such an important mission. Her thoughts were running in all directions with questions. Before she had a chance to ask any of them, Zosia answered them.
“In order to stop the menace that he causes, you must kill him, Maeve, and you won’t be the first to try. It’s taken me centuries to understand how the Cobra came to be and what gruesome acts he did to gain immortality. His actions were so evil, vile, and disturbing that they’re best not spoken of.”
“I want to help if I can,” Maeve bravely said because being in Zosia’s presence filled her with awe.
“Good. To destroy the Cobra, you will need the objects he used to become immortal. He knows this and guards them well.”
“What are those objects and why didn’t he just destroy them so they couldn’t be used against him?” Maeve asked.
The leaves forming Zosia moved so fluidly that she looked lifelike. “The Cobra’s immortality is linked to these artifacts. Interestingly enough, he can’t be close to them either as they drain him. That’s why he has hidden them in places few can reach. Hidden deep within the largest of mountains is the spear he stabbed himself with to become immortal, but it’s cursed and anyone who touches it will meet a fate much worse than death. So first you must search out the powder of blood, and throw it onto the handle; only then may you touch the spear.”
“The powder of blood?”
“It’s the blood of his sacrifice which has been preserved and turned into a powder.
“Lastly you need his blood dripping from the blade before you stab him with it. Only then will he die.”
“If he’s so powerful, and many have tried to kill him before, what makes you think I would stand a chance, even if I had the spear?”
“If he saw you with his spear, he would kill you within seconds,” Zosia agreed. “But I’ve been waiting for the right person to send on this quest, and in that time, I’ve channeled my energy into creating the one thing that will give you the strength to face him.” Bowing her head, it felt as though the earth shook a bit, and then a flower grew between them.
Maeve widened her eyes and stared, as she had never seen anything as strange and marvelous. The white flower stood with its head reaching out towards Zosia and spreading the most angelic melody Maeve had ever heard.
“You will find my gift to you in its roots.” Zosia nodded toward the flower.
Maeve approached it and got to her knees. The ground that the flower stood on seemed to split apart, giving her direct access to the roots. Digging her hand in, Maeve expected to find a rootling, but instead, she pulled out the most beautiful crystal she’d seen in her twenty-four years of life. It was soft and smooth. Like the reflection of a rainbow, the crystal was shiny and seemed to glow in every color.
“This gem will prolong your life indefinitely and give you immense strength. With it, you will never experience physical pain again. You don’t need to crush it to consume it.”
Maeve looked up at Zosia with a confused expression, but Zosia was quick to elaborate:
“Put the crystal on your tongue and let it dissolve into your body.”
Maeve hesitated and thought about how she’d promised never to leave Althea. “Could my sister have one too? I don’t think I can go on this journey alone.”
“I’m afraid Althea has a heart much too pure to ever kill someone. It’s best if you keep this information to yourself and go on the journey alone.”
“But even if I succeed in killing him, I don’t want to live forever without my sister.”
“My child. You must understand that creating this treasure has taken time and isn’t easily done. Cutting it in half and sharing it between you may work but it may also drain all the magic out of it and that’s not a chance I’m willing to take. You’ll have to do this alone, Maeve.”
Maeve’s shoulder sunk as she looked at the shining rootling in her hands.
“I won’t force you to accept this quest. Nor will I hide from you how dangerous it is. You’re not the first I’ve sent on this assignment, but I hope you make some smarter choices than the last Earthen…”
