Page 105 of The Ascended
"Three new blessed discovered among the soldiers just in time for the Trials," another added.
Then Darian moved closer, swaying slightly, taking a step into their circle. “One wonders why the King of Gods thinks the divinely blessed are more likely to be found among those who kill for a living."
The Legends turned to him with expressions of mild surprise.
"You question Olinthar's methods?" one asked carefully.
A flicker of awareness crossed Darian's flushed face. "Not questioning. I simply wonder?—”
"You're suggesting the King of Gods prepares for war?" Kavik's voice cut through the room. He'd approached silently.
"My lord, I simply meant?—"
"You believe yourself qualified to assume the King's intentions?" Kavik moved closer, each step measured.
"I think I’ve had too much to drink—" Darian started.
"The wine revealed what sobriety hid." Kavik hissed. "Tell me, what other insights about the Twelve does your evolved wisdom offer?"
The hall had gone silent, all eyes on the unfolding drama. Viewing portals shifted position, drinking in every moment.
"None, my lord. I misspoke. I only wanted?—"
"To impress. To seem clever. To distinguish yourself." Kavik's fingers grazed Darian's cheek. "Congratulations. You've succeeded."
The space between them vanished. Kavik’s hand rose as if to offer a lover’s touch. His fingers grazed Darian’s cheek, and flesh sizzled beneath them.
The boy convulsed. A shuddering breath caught in his throat, then broke into a soundless scream. Smoke curled from his skin in fine, whispering threads. The scent of burning filled the air.
Darian’s eyes locked on Kavik’s, wide and wet, blistering at the edges. His body arched, muscles seizing as fire consumed him from the inside out.
Then stillness. Darian’s blackened fingers curled uselessly toward the ceiling. His body collapsed, more ash than man, sagging to the floor.
The silence that followed was absolute. No one moved. No one spoke. Even the viewing portals seemed to hold their breath, drinking in this unexpected execution.
Then Kavik turned, his gaze sweeping the gathered contestants. "Respect is valued above all else in Voldaris," he said, his voice carrying to every corner of the hall. "Remember this."
With that, he stepped over Darian's body and rejoined the other Legends, accepting a fresh glass of wine as if nothing of consequence had occurred. Divine servants materialized to remove the remains of his former contestant.
The spell broke. Conversation resumed, though more subdued than before. Legends and contestants alike continued their preparations for departure as if a life hadn't just been extinguished for a moment of drunken idiocy.
"Come," Xül murmured, his fingers closing around my wrist with gentle insistence. "We need to go."
I moved in a daze, my mind replaying the image of Darian's final expression—that moment of horrified comprehension.
Outside, the night air was cool against my skin, but inside, I was stillon fire.
"That was—" I started, unable to find words adequate to the horror I'd witnessed.
"That was divine justice," Xül finished for me, his expression unreadable. "Swift and absolute."
"He was trying to impress them," I said, my voice sounding distant even to my own ears. "He just wanted to belong."
"And that desperation killed him," Xül replied, his eyes holding mine with uncomfortable intensity. "In Voldaris, the obvious need for approval is a weakness that will be exploited. Remember that, starling."
A tremor ran through me at the implications—at how close Thatcher and I danced to similar destruction with every breath we took.
"This is the world you're fighting to join." Xül's hand found my shoulder, forcing me to meet his gaze. "This is what awaits at the end of your path."
