Page 271 of The Ascended
But there was no indigo.
Only two blazing pools of pure, molten gold staring back at me.
Chapter 63
Vanishing
"Rise, Ascended,"Olinthar commanded.
My legs obeyed before my mind caught up. Strange, how the body remembered protocol even when the soul wanted nothing more than to rebel.
The chamber hummed with anticipation, a thousand immortal eyes fixed on us three survivors. I stood on unsteady legs, my newly divine body still foreign to me.
Too much. It was all too much.
"Step forward," Olinthar directed.
We moved as one, leaving our pedestals to approach the semi-circle of thrones. With each step, I became more aware of the change in myself—my movements too fluid, my balance too perfect, my senses too sharp. This body wasn't mine anymore.
Marx walked beside me, her face impassive, though tiny wisps of smoke still rose from her shoulders, her skin bearing the marks of the divine fire that had nearly consumed her. She had survived, but just barely.
"The domain selection is the final step in your ascension," Olinthar explained, his voice carrying effortlessly through the vastchamber. "Each new god must declare their chosen domain of influence."
My heart quickened. This was the moment we'd planned for, the true purpose behind everything we'd endured. Get close to Olinthar. Gain his trust. Strike when he least expected it.
"Marx," Olinthar said, nodding toward her. "You shall be first."
Marx stepped forward, her posture suddenly regal despite the obvious lingering pain of transformation. "I choose Draknavor," she announced, her voice strong and clear. "I shall serve at the side of Morthus in the Domain of Death."
No murmurs at this—it was exactly what everyone expected.
Olinthar nodded. "So be it. Morthus, do you accept this offering to your domain?"
Morthus inclined his head, his face betraying nothing. "I accept."
"Then approach the throne of Death and receive your formal welcome."
Marx moved with newfound grace to stand before Morthus. The God of Death placed a hand on her head, murmuring words too low for even my enhanced hearing to catch. A current of dark energy passed between them, and when Marx turned back to face the assembly, her golden eyes held flecks of deepest black.
"Thatcher Morvaren," Olinthar continued, his attention shifting to my brother. "Make your declaration."
Thatcher stepped forward, his face a perfect mask of respect and humility that I knew was entirely false. "I choose Sundralis," he said, his voice clear and strong. "I shall serve in the domain of Light and Order."
The murmur grew louder. He’d been Chavore’s, after all. But few knew of what Olinthar actually wanted—what his plans were for Thatcher. And even fewer knew that this single decision would lead to the downfall of their King.
But Olinthar smiled, a slow, satisfied curve of his lips that made my skin crawl, even though I’d been bracing for it. "A wise choice," he said. "I accept your service gladly."
Thatcher bowed low, the perfect picture of gratitude and deference. Only I could see the calculation behind his golden eyes, the cold determination that mirrored my own.
"And finally," Olinthar said, turning his attention to me. It was, perhaps, the first time I’d ever seen his eyes so focused on me and me alone. His face was neutral, absolutely nothing reading in his expression. Gods, I hated him. I wanted to claw his eyes out with my bare hands. "Thais Morvaren."
The chamber fell silent. This was the moment of truth. I glanced at Xül, unable to stop myself. His eyes were guarded, his face carefully blank, but I could see the tension in his jaw, the slight clench of his fist at his side. He already knew I would choose this, but it didn’t stop the hurt from bleeding into his eyes.
"I choose Sundralis," I declared, my voice steady despite the unexpected pang in my chest. "I shall serve in the domain of Light and Order."
The murmur became a wave of surprised whispers.
Olinthar's smile widened, and the satisfaction in his eyes made bile rise in my throat. "How... interesting," he said. "The twins united in Sundralis. How honored our domain should feel. I accept your service, Thais Morvaren."
