Page 44 of Goddess of the Broken

The relief in Aiden’s eyes was apparent when they finally approached the temple. It was clear he thought they would never make it.

Up close, the temple was in bad shape. It looked like it had been through a war. There was sand and debris everywhere. It took Tempest a minute to find the entrance. She wasn’t sure if it was because of the damage, or if it was just normally hidden.

The inside of the temple was dark and musty. Once Tempest’s eyes adjusted, she could see that there were several passages leading off in different directions. She chose one randomly and started down it with Aiden following behind her. As they walked, she could feel the temperature drop. She was relieved to be out of the heat, but something about the cool air felt strange.

It had been so long since Tempest had last been here. Hundreds of years had faded her memory of where, precisely, the gate to the land of the gods was.

They had been walking for what felt like ages when Tempest began hearing a low buzzing from one side. They had to be getting close. She steered them towards the sound until an impossibly tall archway stood in front of them.

The archway was made of marble only a shade or two lighter than black, with gold carvings covering every inch of it. The designs were delicate and intricate, and Tempest’s heart stirred as she recognized the craftsmanship of her people. She hadn’t seen anything made by the denizens of the god realm for five hundred years. At first glance, the gilded etchings covering the archway looked similar to one another. Only upon a closer look could you make out the details, revealing images of creatures long forgotten, each more detailed and powerful than the next. The stone seems to flow like water around the images, giving the static edifice a sense of movement.

Tempest had always been in awe of such workmanship. As she studied archway more intently, she could feel a part of herself retreating into a corner of her mind. She shook her head and forced herself to focus on the task before her.

Noticing the fabric connecting her to Aiden had gone slack, she turned around to find him staring through the arch, his face devoid of emotion. His mind must have shut down upon reaching some mortal limit or reacting to the spells guarding the way to the land of the gods. Tempest gently took his hand and walked them through the gateway.

A cool breeze brushed past them, and Tempest felt her power respond, filling her with strength and energy.

They stood in a manicured forest. Tall marble buildings in the near distance peeked through the foliage. Beneath the canopy of trees, the ground was covered with emerald grass, which swayed in the wind. The smells of sweet grass and moist earth filled the air. The trees themselves were adorned in colorful fruits and flowers, adding a sweet, intoxicating scent. Branches hung over a path and brushed against one another, creating a cadence of clacking wood. The vibrant green leaves of the plants and trees rustled in a type of dance as they performed a melody that was effortless and yet difficult to understand. Regardless, it stirred the soul and brightened the mind.

Tempest closed her eyes and took a deep breath, swaying to the symphony of the forest. She loved the land of the gods. Even if you didn’t know it was magical before arriving, you could feel it. If the other gods hadn’t abused her powers, she never would have left.

She turned, curious and concerned about how Aiden would respond to this. His glazed-over expression morphed into one of peace, then pain, and last, confusion.

Aiden dropped the fabric from his hands and inspected them. “I feel… different.”

“How so?”

“I feel strong and… something else I can’t put my finger on.”

“Can you describe it?”

“It keeps changing. Scared, then curious, and yet angry and loving under the surface.”

Tempest cast a glance around to make sure they were still alone. “Does it feel like a cord? As if it’s connecting you to something?”

A dimple appeared as his mouth quirked to the side while he thought. “Possibly?”

Tempest located the nearest moss-covered stone, then kicked it hard enough to bring tears to her eyes. Aiden flinched. She hopped on one foot and spun around to sit on the stone.

“I don’t know how, but it appears this connection between us is no longer one-sided.”

“Thisis what you’ve been feeling from me?”

“To an extent. Before, I was privy to your strongest emotions while you were oblivious to mine. Now you can feel mine. Personally, I’ve practiced to keep feelings tamped down. This is how I feel for every soul I’m near, experiencing their emotions in addition to my own.”

Aiden’s jaw dropped. “You can feel every soul near you? And all of their emotions?”

“It’s sort of the worst.” Tempest rose and tested her foot before putting her full weight on it. “We should go before someone discovers we are here.”

“Where are we going?”

She began walking towards the marble buildings. “My place,” she replied without looking back.

Tempest guided them around the outskirts of the buildings for a while. Aiden’s eyes grew wider the further they went, as the buildings put his palace to shame, each structure grander than the last. They all stood at least five stories high, with a staircase leading from the courtyard to an upper terrace. Carvings and statues dotted the grounds, with large marble pillars supporting high archways leading inside.

Eventually, they left the forest and entered a broad path leading into a city of marble buildings. Tall walls surrounding individual structures rose on either side of them, with gates and doors providing entrance to them.

Tempest pushed against a large metal door with a beautiful woman holding scales etched onto it, and they entered a disheveled and barren courtyard. She closed the door behind them and walked towards a massive building in the center.

---