Dovetailed

by RaShelle Workman

  “Everything’s good?” he asked.

  “Yes, Dervinias. Go and do what you must. She’ll be here when you get back.”

  King Antyon’s lair was in the snowcapped mountains of Gilada, the highest peak twice the size of Earth’s Mount Everest. Dervinias used Britorent to travel from the hospital and was at the base of the mountain in moments. It was snowing so heavily that the highest point was obscured from view. Leviathans closely guarded the entrance of the mountain. He’d avoided them so far because he knew where they would be most heavily positioned. Getting up to the top would be a challenge, though. They were everywhere, like bubbles in a bubble bath. The chill of the air brushed against his skin. It didn’t bother him; in fact, he enjoyed the feel. A single snowflake touched his cheek. It reminded him of Wyoming, except for the smell. Even with the persistent wind and the cold, the smell of vomit permeated everything.

  Different scenarios of how he’d get to the top ran through his mind. None of them ended well; in fact, they all ended with him dead. He had a daughter now. Death was not an option.

  “Fancy meeting you here.”

  It was Venus. He’d know her voice anywhere, and he had to admit he was relieved, although he wondered how she’d found King Antyon’s lair. No one save a very few knew its whereabouts. She was a god now; maybe her godly powers had shown her the way. From what he understood of Earthly gods they were supposed to be all powerful, all knowing beings. They were also supposed to be able to smite people, turn them to stone, part seas, bury cities, and create floods high enough to cover the whole Earth. At least that’s what a lot of people believed. He’d never heard of Ith and Aetha doing such things. Dervinias didn’t think Ith and Aetha knew of the lair.

  “V,” he said and turned. “How did you find this place?”

  It was more than Venus, though. Michael was with her, along with more than three hundred Kelarians he didn’t know. They all held weapons he’d never seen before. The blades were bluish-black and seemed to emanate a golden glow.

  Venus patted him on the back. “I’ve been keeping tabs on you.”

  That explained so much, like the reason she allowed him to take Chev home and the reason she came personally to rescue him. She knew all along that he had information she needed. The idea of all she’d done was extremely sneaky and totally cool.

  “You brought an army? I should’ve known.” He smiled and walked toward her. “But with this large a crowd we’re sure to be seen.”

  “Let them come!” a Kelarian near the front shouted.

  “Brave words,” Dervinias said, studying Venus and the blade she held in her hand. “Is there something I don’t know?”

  “We have the power necessary to destroy the Leviathans.”

  “Oh?” He was surprised but, before he could ask how they came to possess such power, a group of Leviathans swarmed toward them.

  Venus pulled a sword from a strap on her back and tossed it to him. “You’re going to need this.”

  Dervinias grabbed it out of the air, spun, and slashed the tip of the nearest tentacle. The tip severed, turning to dust as it fell. The other end of the tentacle turned black and slinked up to the Leviathan’s body, which crackled and the whole thing turned to dust. It all happened within a couple of seconds. When it was gone, a cheer rang from the crowd. He turned and smiled. “Damn, that’s awesome, V.”

  She nodded, pulled another sword from off her back, and took off to help a group of five Kelvieri battling a Leviathan. The weapons could slay the monsters, but only if the tentacles didn’t get a hold of the Kelvieri first.

  Too soon the cheers turned to screams, and those screams were drawing more attention. Soon the entire bubbling bath of Leviathans was pressing down on the group.

  Dervinias and the others moved using Britorent, making them fast, but with so many it was hard to steer clear of the tentacles. They hung from the sky like poisonous streamers. He ducked, rolled, spun, and twisted his way through several smelly Leviathans. Black sand—the remains of the Leviathans—dropped down like shadowy rain.

  It became so thick it was hard to see. All he could do was focus on the tentacles, where they were, where they came from. Out of the corner of his eye he watched a tentacle pick up one of the warriors, its tentacles wrapped around him, and toss him into its giant mouth.

  The screams were dying out and he wondered if it was because the Kelvieri were nearly all deceased. He didn’t stop though. He wouldn’t until he was dead or they were. There was no other choice.

  On and on he went until he thought he was breathing the Leviathans into his body, becoming one of them. It seemed like hours, days, weeks, years. Time stood still in the darkness. He had no thought of anything but the next kill.

  Murder had always been in his blood. It had always been a part of him. Now it consumed him, took over every thought and every movement until he knew nothing else.

  And then they stopped coming.

  Dervinias glanced up, and beyond the sandy haze was a clear night sky. He stood straight, rolling his shoulders and wiping the grime from his face. Millions of stars and both moons shone like crisp jewels. He searched the landscape for any other survivors. In the distance he saw Venus. She was kneeling.

  “Oh no,” he whispered and ran to her. Bodies were strewn everywhere, some with their eyes still open. It was a horrific sight, one he might’ve relished a year ago. Now, things were different. He was different. And their deaths brought him no joy.

  The closer Dervinias got to Venus the better he was able to see. Michael and Zaren were both alive, but they were leaning over someone, he guessed Palamina, and sadness engulfed him. For Zaren. He’d only recently gotten her back.

  He also noticed others of the three hundred. They were tending to the dead or sitting alone, probably in shock. Death was never pretty.

  He knelt beside Venus and saw with his own eyes that Palamina was the one on the ground. Zaren was crying. He’d never seen the Formytian show such emotion. It was terrible to watch, but he didn’t know what to say.

  Venus mumbled something and he looked over. She was crying too. Finally her words made sense. She was saying, “I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’m sorry.”

  “You can’t save her?” Zaren asked.

  “Her soul has already left. I can’t call it back. It’s gone.”

  Michael had his arm around her, trying to comfort her. It didn’t seem to be helping. She was more distraught that he’d ever seen.

  For the first time in his life Dervinias wished he could do something to help. All he could do was kill his father. “I’m going after him… unless he’s already gone.” Dervinias stood quickly. If his father were paying attention he would’ve seen that the Leviathans were being destroyed. He had to know that they’d come after him next. “I’ve got to hurry.”

  He took off using Britorent, climbing up the mountain. It was difficult. Hand and footholds were hard to come by. When it became too difficult he jumped from one spot to another. Once he tried to use the blade Venus had given him, but it melted the snow and he slipped and fell.

  The higher up he went, the worse the visibility. It was snowing and sleeting so hard it smacked against his skin like pinpricks. But he kept going. He had to see if his father was still there.

  Venus watched Dervinias climb up the mountain. She knew she needed to join him, but Zaren was suffering and she couldn’t leave him alone. She reached out and grabbed his hand. “I’m sorry,” she said for what seemed like the hundredth time.

  Zaren finally met her gaze, his deep green eyes overflowing with sorrow. “It isn’t your fault.” He shook his head. “It just hurts…” He let out a ragged breath. “So. Much.” He gritted his teeth.

  Venus hurt so badly for him. She sensed the conflicting emotions: his sense of duty, his loss, and his anger. “I know,” she said softly.

  In her mind she saw Dervinias had almost reached the top of the mountain. He would need her soon. King Antyon was still up there and he was waiting, lyin
g in wait, ready to pounce, to kill.

  Still, she couldn’t leave, not until Zaren was ready. So she continued to kneel next to him and waited.

  The remainder of the group of three hundred made their way over to her. They stood quietly, seeming to sense the need for quiet. She noticed there were less than a dozen left. Their deaths weighed heavily on her. One of the survivors was Seth, but she didn’t see Hamel amongst the living.

  After a long while, Zaren rose. Venus and Michael stood with him. “We need to go after Dervinias. If King Antyon is up there, there may still be other Leviathans. We can’t let him take them on alone.”

  “Even though he was kick ass,” Michael said.

  Venus was surprised at the admiration in his voice, but it was true. Dervinias had been ferocious.

  Zaren nodded. “Come on.”

  Venus ran after Zaren. They used Britorent, moving quickly. Up and up the mountain they climbed until they reached the ledge and the opening. Venus waited until everyone in the group reached the top, then they walked to the entrance together.

  “Let me go first,” Michael said walking in without waiting.

  Venus snorted. “Mr. Tough Guy protecting his woman,” she mocked sweetly.

  “Forever and always,” Michael replied.

  Warmth filled her and she longed to kiss him.

  “It’s about time the imitation goddess arrived. I hoped you’d show up. Even prayed. It looks like gods do answer prayers.” King Antyon laughed. The sound reverberated through the cave causing chunks of ice to fall from the roof. She dodged the pieces. Michael stood next to her. He seemed ready to spring. On either side of King Antyon stood a Formytian. Thankfully she didn’t see any Leviathans. She didn’t see Dervinias either.

  “Where’s Dervinias?” she asked, worried about him.

  “He’s there.” King Antyon pointed to a far corner of the icy cave. Past machines and more men was a large web. Dervinias was in the center of it. His eyes were closed. “Don’t worry, he isn’t dead. Not yet.” He laughed again. “I thought it only fitting to kill him and his child at the same time.” King Antyon pulled something from the ground in the corner. It appeared to be a bundle of some kind. When it started to cry, Venus realized it was a baby: Chev and Dervinias’s baby. “I thought you might like to watch.”

  Venus took a step toward him. “Don’t hurt the child.”

  King Antyon lifted a knife above his head, the sharp end pointing at the child. “Don’t come any closer or I’ll end her now.”

  Venus knew he was stalling and she wondered why. What more did he have in store?

  She didn’t have to wonder long. A furry little animal climbed out of King Antyon’s pocket, over the crying child, and onto the king’s shoulder.

  “Now is the time, right, Master?”

  It was so incredibly adorable Venus wanted to pet it.

  “This is Hisoka. She is a Traveller,” King Antyon began. “You’ve ruined my plans for this world, but I can still go to Earth. It’ll be easy to rule there.”

  Hisoka started to move her hands around and around in a circle.

  “I will stop you, King Antyon. It might not be immediately, but I will stop you.” Venus watched the hole Hisoka created get bigger and bigger. She searched her mind, trying to figure out what her next step should be. Did she destroy King Antyon? Allow him to kill the child, as well as Dervinias? While she searched she saw someone she wasn’t expecting. A smile flitted across her lips. She couldn’t help it.

  Venus suddenly knew what was coming.

  In that second an Ostwallow sword severed King Antyon’s head from his body. Venus dove for the child and Michael grabbed Hisoka while the remainder of her group took care of the two Formytian guards.

  It was all over before King Antyon’s body hit the ground. Standing behind him, holding the sword was none other than the Queen of Canaru.

  “Hello, Listina. It’s lovely to see you.”

  “And you,” the queen said, bowing.

  Venus snuggled the child in her arms. Images of the life the child would lead flashed through her mind. She saw that the girl was good and would be an ambassador between this world and Earth. The future between the two worlds would be bright.

  She also felt the presence of a god. It was a strange sensation. One that filled her up and left her empty at the same time.

  I am Tanith, a god without a world. King Antyon and I had come to an accord, but as he’s no longer here, I’ll be on my way.

  Go in peace , Venus responded, knowing that would probably not be the last time she had contact with the rogue god. For now it was enough that he was leaving.

  The feeling within left and she once again felt like herself.

  Venus glanced at Michael. He smiled, holding up Hisoka.

  “Are you my Master now?” the little creature asked him.

  “How about I be your friend?” Michael patted the top of her furry head.

  The little creature squealed with delight. “Do you mean it?”

  “Of course,” Michael responded.

  “Then I shall love you forever.” She climbed out of Michael’s hands and up to his shoulder where she reached out her clawed hands and hugged him around the neck. Michael flinched and then laughed.

  Seth had cut Dervinias down from the spider web. Venus was worried about the spider that created it. She searched the room. “Listina, did you happen to see the spider that created that web?”

  The Queen smiled. “It’s been taken care of.”

  “Excellent.”

  Dervinias came over to Venus and held out his hands. “Is she alright?” He glanced at the child. “Harmony? Baby girl? Daddy’s here.” The child stopped crying immediately.

  “You can’t be all bad if the baby likes you, Vinny,” Michael said, slapping him on the back.

  Dervinias growled and laughed at the same time. “I guess I could say the same about you and the little fur ball you’ve got clinging to your neck.”

  Michael peered over his shoulder, then returned his attention to the baby. “She’s adorable, Vinny.” His voice was soft and sincere.

  Dervinias smiled. “Thanks, man.” Then he turned to Venus.

  She smiled.

  “Thanks for coming for me, but I think it’s time to take my baby home.” He walked toward the entrance.

  Venus came up behind him. “I hope you know you’re welcome to stay here. In Kelari. For as long as you’d like.”

  He glanced at her. “I appreciate you saying that.”

  Most of Alayeah was in shambles. Those kelarians still alive mourned the loss of their homes, their lands, and their families. Wailing overcame all other sound.

  Venus wanted to join in. At every glance, the land was scorched. Trees were burned and blackened, but the most horrific sights were the dead bodies. They littered the ground.

  Even the Alayeahian Sea had a layer of ash floating on top of it. Many of the animals had died from lack of fresh water and food. Everything that was beautiful about the country was gone.

  As she and the others got closer to the secret location, her heart sank. Dozens of dead bodies littered the area around the entrance, including Palmo’s. She’d seen that this might happen, but it’d depended upon his choices. From the frightened look in his dead eyes it was apparent his demise hadn’t been something he’d even considered.

  It saddened her that even after his death in Helker, he hadn’t taken a different course. Since Ramien’s net no longer surrounded Kelari, Palmo’s soul had already gone on.

  Zaren studied Palmo’s corpse. She could sense the thick sadness weighing on him. She ached for him and the loss of Palamina. It seemed so unfair.

  Yet in spite of the pain in him, he wasn’t swayed. There was no bitterness, only loyalty.

  Zaren carried Palamina’s dead body to an out-of-the way spot. Venus knew instantly he was going to set her down so he could help with the dead. Venus waved a hand and a hundred daisies the same shade as Palamina’s hair grew
on the ground in front of Zaren.

  He gasped at the sudden blooms and then looked at Venus. His lips twitched and she knew he was holding back his emotions.

  “Thank you,” he mouthed.

  She nodded and watched as he tenderly laid Palamina’s lifeless body on the flowers, taking care not to hit her head.

  They lined the bodies next to each other making sure the eyes were closed and they were on their backs. It was as respectful as they could manage at the moment. She searched her mind for Amberlee and sensed she was still alive. She wished she could spare her sister this pain. Seeing Palmo would hurt, but it was necessary.

  Once they’d finished with the dead, Venus left Zaren and the others above ground and took Michael with her down into the tunnels.

  When Amberlee saw Venus, she broke down in tears. “I knew you’d come. I knew it.” She clung to Venus. The goddess felt so much love for her. The girl had been through a lot. Venus held her close.

  “Did you see Palmo?” Amberlee asked, wiping her eyes.

  “Yes,” Venus said. “He didn’t make it.”

  The tears started fresh, streaking her lovely cheeks and falling onto her hands, folded in her lap. “I knew it,” she whispered over and over.

  “I’m so sorry,” Venus said, stroking her hair.

  After several long moments, Amberlee wiped her eyes. “Did you happen to see a little girl?”

  Venus’s heart broke at the thought. There’d been several dead kel children. “Yes,” Venus whispered.

  Numerous people were watching their conversation. Most everyone had tears in their eyes, many were sobbing inconsolably.

  Amberlee seemed to notice too. She rolled her shoulders back. “Take me to see them, please.”

  Venus stood. “Follow me. The Leviathans have been destroyed and the war is over,” Venus said to everyone.

  Venus and Michael led the people out. There were lots of tears.

  Amberlee saw Palmo first. She didn’t cry. Just touched his face. “Good-bye,” she whispered.

  When she reached the body of a little girl, she cried again. Kneeling, Venus watched as Amberlee gently braided the kelni’s hair. “I’m sorry,” Amberlee said when she finished.