Page 25 of The Ascended
"Will it only be them? I thought this was supposed to be more of aspectacle." I couldn’t hide the disdain in my voice.
"Oh, all eyes from every domain will be watching you, dear. But from the luxury of their own palaces." Lyralei gestured gracefully. "You might notice slight shimmers in the air, or something that looks like a wave in reality. Those are viewing portals."
I couldn't decide if I preferred that. It would feel more intimate without the distraction of a roaring crowd, but knowing that countless beings were watching from afar somehow made it worse. Like being a specimen under glass.
"So what happens when I go in there?" I pressed.
"They don't allow us to speak of specifics beforehand."
The frustration must have shown on my face because she held up a hand. "I know it's maddening, but there are rules even we must follow. What I can tell you is that the Proving is designed to test your power, yes, but also your control, your creativity." Her star-filled eyes met mine. "Give them a display they've never witnessed"
"And if I can't?"
"Then you'll join the ranks of those who tried and failed. But I don't think that will be your fate."
I wished I shared her confidence. But confidence wasn't what I needed right now. I needed rage.
They killed him,I thought, letting the anger build.They murdered him in front of everyone I've ever known, and now they want me to perform.
And I’d have to play along.
"What comes after? If I survive?"
"Today you will compete in the Proving, and tomorrow, the Legends will choose who they want to mentor."
It was impossible to escape stories about the Gods, no matter how much I’d tried over the last twenty-six years. The Twelve thatruled, the lesser Aesymar, and the Legends. The hierarchy of the gods.
"How many of the blessed entered the last Proving?" I asked, though I wasn't sure I wanted to know.
"Two hundred. But only fifty made it through to the Trials proper."
My stomach dropped. One hundred and fifty people dead. One hundred and fifty families destroyed, one hundred and fifty futures snuffed out.
"And as you probably know, the Forging ended with five newly ascended."
"And now they'll be mentors," I said, trying to keep the disgust from my voice.
Novalie and the third Dreamweaver—a willowy being who I'd heard called Vesper—exchanged glances.
“Yes,” Lyralei murmured. “But it is not only them—all Legends have the opportunity to mentor. Even those born to divinity.”
"The son of Olinthar will be among them," Lyralei added. "Chavore."
My blood went cold at the mention of Olinthar's name. Of Chavore.My half-brother. Gods.No one here knew who I really was, what connection I had to the King of Gods. And I intended to keep it that way.
“But there's no point in worrying about who you might end up with," Vesper cut in. "The Legends choose their mentees, not the other way around. It's entirely out of your hands."
Just like everything else in this cursed place.
Novalie's expression shifted, her star-filled eyes turning pitiful. "It must be strange, being ripped from Elaren so suddenly."
I tensed. “You could say that.”
"I can't imagine how you're feeling. Being on the precipice of Voldaris now. Never going back to the mortal world unless..." She trailed off, clearly not wanting to say 'unless you ascend.'
"And even then, barely ever," Vesper added quietly.
Lyralei shot them both a warning look before turning back to me. "You'll be traveling between domains for the trials. Each of the Twelve rules their own."
