Alistar lowered onto his chair. “Unbelievable!” He scanned the other faces around the table. “Now that, my friends, is what I call a heavy set of conditions.” He looked back at Lasidious. “Are there any others?”
Lasidious smirked. “There is a fourth and final condition. I know you’re all anxious to hear it.”
Owain removed his pointed hat and tossed it onto the table. “I’m not.” The dwarf leaned forward, adjusted the collar of his light blue suit and then grumbled, “But go ahead, and spit it out. I’m sure it won’t glorify you at all, will it?”
The Mischievous One grinned. “All coins with Yaloom’s image shall be replaced with a new coin of my design that bears my likeness.”
As every god around the table began to murmur, Lasidious was quick to hold up his hand. “I’m not finished. There’s more. All writings that refer to Yaloom’s existence will be abolished. This will happen when the worlds are placed in stasis. These writings will be re-scripted, and they’ll be ... you guessed it ... all about ME!”
With all the gods in an uproar, the God of the Harvest stood from his chair. “Your arrogance is appalling, Lasidious! But the return of the Crystal Moon does offer me some sense of peace. If this collective agrees to your conditions, when would the creation of the dragon world begin?”
Mieonus stood and stomped her foot. “We cannot allow him to manipulate us like this! This is preposterous. I say we finish the game Lasidious began. Let’s settle this once and for all as to whether good or evil prevails. We don’t need to agree to his list of terms in order to take the crystal from him. He cannot back out of the game if we don’t let him.”
Lasidious cleared his throat to get everyone’s attention. “Mieonus is correct twice in one Peak. How about that? Since I’m bound to the game I started, if this Collective wishes to continue this meaningless course of action, then so be it. But I’d hate to see the uprising of the dragons once I tell them this collective intends to postpone the creation of a world they’ve waited so long for. I’m sure the Titans won’t be pleased to hear this news.”
“You wouldn’t dare!” Mieonus shouted. “The dragons would destroy everything. They’d no longer respect the boundaries we set for them. They would abandon Dragonia, and madness would ensue across the lower four worlds.”
“I agree with Mieonus,” Alistar added. “Even the Source would break the agreements he has entered into with this collective. And we all know whose ears he would inform after that. We cannot allow this to happen. The Almighty’s back must remain turned to us.”
Lasidious leaned back in his chair. He put his feet up on the table and then crossed his legs while he placed his hands behind his head. “I doubt the Source would run and tattle. I say, let the Titans run free, and roll the bones. Allow them to pick their teeth with the limbs of those who worship you.”
“If the beings of the worlds perish, Lasidious, your power will diminish,” Hosseff responded. The God of Death remained remarkably calm as he continued. “Even if the Source does hold his tongue, you would fail in your quest to control the Book.”
Lasidious chuckled. “I don’t think you’ve been listening.”
“We’ve all heard every word you’ve said?” Mieonus snapped as she pushed her brunette hair clear of her face.
The Mischievous One’s voice was filled with darkness. “I said the dragons would pick their teeth with those who worship you ... not me. Rest assured, the Titans will not attack any being who speaks my name in their prayers. I’ve seen to that.”
“You lie,” Calla, the Goddess of Truth, contested. “The dragons would never enter into an agreement of this nature with the likes of you.”
Lasidious slapped his hands on the table and then leaned out over it. “They are more than willing to work with me if this collective fails to fulfill its promise. I know this to be fact.”
While the others around the table continued to digest the Mischievous One’s words, Lasidious seized the moments to continue. “I think you’re all forgetting something of utmost importance. With the loss of your worshippers, not only will you weaken, but the Book will weaken as well. This collective did nothing to prevent Gabriel from being drained of his power. The Titans are, indeed, prepared to ravage the worlds, and they will only spare those who worship me. If this happens, it would be less than a season before I’d be able to control the Book. And I plan to use Gabriel against you.”
Jervaise decided to make her opinion known. The apparition stood from her chair. As she did, all the gods turned to face her. “For as many seasons as I’ve known you, Lasidious, I have understood your mind to be cunning. These manipulations are far beyond your normal mischief. I don’t doubt you for a moment. After watching recent events, I’m sure you’ve misled the dragons in this manner. I also feel that you may want us to continue playing your game with the Crystal Moon for reasons that I may not understand or even see at this moment. I find it difficult to know which path to follow. I resent you for this.”
Now it was Hosseff’s turn to laugh. The others surrounding the massive table watched him as the shade stood and pulled his hood over his head.
Mieonus barked, “How could you possibly find any humor in this?”
Hosseff collected his thoughts. After a couple long, wispy breaths, he replied. “Lasidious has failed to mention that I was more powerful than he was before the worlds were created. Those who pass will increase my power. If he allows the Crystal Moon to be destroyed, I shall once again be his superior. Once your servants perish, I shall feed on their souls. Their deaths will empower me, and I shall be elevated to a position capable of destroying Lasidious. So, I highly doubt that Lasidious’ true intent is to have the dragons ravage the worlds.”
The room exploded with many heated opinions—all of which conflicted with one another.
Lasidious and Celestria absorbed the chaotic energy while Alistar snuck in a sinister smile in his brother’s direction.
The Mischievous One stood from the table and took a position behind the shade. He placed his hands on Hosseff’s shoulders and spoke. “You may not realize it, but I have offered this collective a peaceful resolution. I assure you ... my relationship with the Titans is stronger than it ever was. Make no mistake, the shade’s assessment isn’t accurate. Once the beings of the worlds realize that serving me will spare their lives from the dragons’ wrath, the masses will change who they worship. The Titans don’t need to end them to sway their service. The threat of being devoured will be enough.”
The Mischievous One smirked. “No matter what you do to try and stop me, I’ll eventually acquire the followers I need to control the Book. Once I do, I will have attained the level of power that is necessary to provide the dragons with the home they deserve. And here’s the best part about it all. Everything will have transpired without me, personally, taking the free will of anyone.” Lasidious gently squeezed the shade god’s shoulders and bent over to speak into his ear. “And you, Hosseff, won’t be given the chance to feed on a single soul.”
Lasidious watched as the gods began to shout while Hosseff yanked his shoulders free of the Mischievous One’s grip. After a few moments of enjoying their anger, Lasidious jabbed, “I cannot wait until I can seize control of the Book. I’m going to destroy at least half of you.”
Gabriel lifted his voice to a level that shook the hall. The sound was so deafening that each world could hear his shouting as thunder. “Lasidious, stop speaking about me as if I’m not in the room! If you do it again, I’ll sacrifice everything that I am to strike you down. The souls who rest inside my pages will be scattered throughout the darkness of space, and I shall perish with the satisfaction of knowing I took you with me. I demand your respect.”
Everyone present was at a loss for words.
Stunned, Lasidious eventually managed to regain his composure. “You have my sincerest apologies, Gabriel. I shall no longer speak of you as just a book. I’ll use your name from here on out. My scheming doesn’t have to be done
with such disrespect.”
Gabriel’s face tightened. “If only you meant what your words suggested. Make no mistake, Lasidious. If I ever hear you speak of me like that again, I will end you.”
Lasidious nodded. “I’ll remember that, Gabriel. But for now ... may I continue with my scheming? I will use your name.”
The Mischievous One grinned and then turned to face Hosseff. “I’d much rather abandon our game and surrender the final pieces of the Crystal Moon to Gabriel. That way, we can work together to give the dragons their new world, and none of us will lose our power.”
“This is outrageous!” Mieonus sneered, stomping the lifted heel of her right shoe against the polished floor of the hall. “I hate you, Lasidious ... you too, Celestria.”
Bailem slapped his hand against the table to get everyone’s attention. His face showed his distress as he looked around the room to find the eyes of each deity. “I have no idea how to proceed. There appears to be no option that will provide me with peace. I will follow whatever path Gabriel chooses.”
Calla, Jervaise, Owain, Helmep and Alistar quickly agreed to do the same.
Mieonus plopped into her chair. “Cowards. I hate you as much as I hate them.”
Gabriel ignored the goddess’ animated mood. He floated over to Lasidious and hovered in front of the Mischievous One’s face. “If we choose to accept your conditions and agree to create the world for the dragons, I want you to surrender the Crystal Moon immediately. You must enter a Promise of the Gods that you’ll never use your relationship with the dragons as a weapon against the worlds, or this Collective. The dragons are never to be used in any campaign that would change the balance of power amongst the gods.
“Further, I also want Celestria to make the same promise. If you both agree, I shall support your desire to create. I’ll even assist in the creation of the new piece of Crystal Moon that will be necessary to govern the dragon world and keep it in its proper orbit.”
With a sly smile, the God of Mischief responded. “What about my coins? You also need to adjust the writings on the worlds to remove Yaloom’s name. I want his coins to be replaced with mine, and they must hold the same value. If you agree to that as well, I see no harm in giving everyone peace of mind.”
Gabriel looked at Celestria. “And you?”
In all her beauty, the goddess replied. “I would agree to your terms.”
Once the Book accepted their commitments, Lasidious released his control over the Crystal Moon with a wave of his hand. The final pieces appeared on the table and then the Mischievous One smiled as he thought, I love loopholes.
Gabriel announced, “Stasis will fall across the worlds, and they’ll be moved away from the sun and placed into an orbit that will allow each of them to support life once the size of the sun has been increased.”
Gabriel looked at Lasidious. “I have one thing to say before I go.”
Each deity’s ears focused on Gabriel’s every word. The Book floated to the center of the table while he prepared his thoughts. “Now that I have your promise regarding the Titans, I shall share a bit of my own scheming. Lasidious, you’re not the only one with secrets. You’re a fool to believe that you’ll ever acquire the power you need to control me. I promise to enjoy your misery when I’m finished with you. I suggest you all attend my next meeting so you can watch Lasidious when he hears the news.” The Book floated toward the exit.
The others sat in silence, but the Mischievous One gave chase. “Gabriel! What do you have planned? Gabriel ... come back! What did I do to you? Don’t be like that! Gabriel! Get back over here!”
Now, fellow soul ... allow me to clarify. This new solar system proposed by the gods would consist of six worlds, one hidden god world and a single sun. In addition, each world was slated to be given its own moon, or in some cases, moons. The beings living on the worlds must be put into stasis for the changes to take place. However, whenever stasis is lifted, no one would have knowledge that Lasidious’ new coin had replaced Yaloom’s. In all beings’ minds, Yaloom never existed. Only those with godly memories would retain this information.
CHAPTER 27
Little Joshua K. Nailer
Western Luvelles
George and Athena’s Home
JOSHUA K. NAILER EMERGED as the healer lifted his tiny body onto his mother’s belly. He screamed as he was pulled free of the warmth of Athena’s womb, the chill of the room needling his sensitive skin. The umbilical cord was severed, and after a magical circumcision, he was wiped off just enough to allow his proud parents to dote.
Joshua was beautiful. He had blue eyes, his mother’s hair, and his father’s—well, they were not really sure what he had of his father’s looks since his skin was so shriveled. He looked like a prune.
George leaned over and gave Athena a kiss while Mary took the child to clean him up. “You did good, babe. I love you.”
A tear rolled down Athena’s cheek. “I love you, too. I’m sorry for being so nasty. I didn’t mean to curse.”
“Ah, come on, babe. It’s not like you talk foul every Peak. Heck, I’ve only heard you cuss once since I’ve known you. Besides, you had every right to react the way you did. I’m the one who knocked you up.” George turned his head toward the window. “I think we have a little guest hovering outside. He’s dying to see what’s going on. Should I let him in?”
Athena peeked over George’s shoulder. “Yes, but you better explain to him that Joshua doesn’t have the ability to rip his fingers off like he does. I don’t want any test morphing happening on the baby. And make sure he knows that Joshua can’t burst into flames either. He needs to understand the baby doesn’t have the same abilities he does. Make sure he—”
“Babe. I get it already. I’ll speak to him. How about we tell Payne that he is his brother’s protector. I think it’s important that he still feels like we love him. He needs to know that he’s loved just as much as Joshua.”
Athena sighed. “Perhaps you should show Payne where his new bedroom is. Let him know he will be sleeping inside from now on.”
George waved his hand, and the window opened. He motioned for the fairy-demon to come inside and allowed the window to shut behind him.
“Payne, come here a moment. I want you to meet your brother.” He pointed to Mary who positioned the baby for a better view. “That’s Joshua K. Nailer.”
Payne scratched the top of his head. “It look funny.”
George smiled. “He is not an ‘it.’ Joshua is a baby. His looks will change as our moments pass.”
“What ‘K’ mean?” Payne questioned as he flew over to Mary and hovered above her shoulder while she continued to clean the newborn.
“Well,” George responded, “Athena and I decided that since we’re going to allow you to sleep inside with us from now on, we should do something so Kepler doesn’t feel left out. The initial K means, Kepler, but we aren’t going to say his full name. So when you say his name, you will say, Joshua. Do you understand?”
True to form, Payne’s mind had moved past his curiosity about the baby. “Payne hungry. Mom feed Payne?”
George had to laugh. “Come with me, buddy, and I’ll get you something. How about I make you an omelet?”
Southern Grayham
Sam’s Throne Room
Shalee smiled as she watched the sun touch the horizon through one of the throne room windows. The people below moved about the cobblestone streets of Brandor with joyful hearts. It was easy to see the happiness in their gaits, and it appeared as if everyone had a new sense of respect for one another.
Sam had allowed word to spread about the army’s findings inside the Serpent King’s underground city. Now that the army was bringing this surplus of coin back to Brandor, word was beginning to spread that the treasure was bountiful enough to strengthen the kingdom’s economy for many lives over. As a result of this great news, celebrations had followed. But the coin of the serpents was not the only reason the people celebrated.
Despite Sam’s encouragement to keep Lasidious’ Promise quiet, the Senate believed in Lasidious’ desire to see Southern Grayham flourish. They voted to overrule the king’s wishes, and as a result, runners had been sent throughout the kingdom to spread word of Lasidious’ gift that George had given the Senate.
The people were now in a giving mood, and the coin George left behind was the talk of Brandor. With the Senate’s newfound sense of faith, how could Shalee—or even Sam for that matter—contradict the facts of what was happening?
Shalee knew there was another reason the people were joyful, and this reason did not involve a god or a prophet. It involved the greatness of her husband. Before returning the kingdom to the Senate, Sam had made many changes and implemented a number of new laws.
First, Sam freed the slaves across Southern Grayham. He declared that these hard-working beings were to be treated as equals. They would be allowed to choose their own employers.
Second, Sam decreed that each master of the freed slaves would receive ample compensation for the abrupt change in their lives. They would be given the coin necessary to pay for services equal to those lost for a period of one season.
Third, the last of the barbarian members of the Senate were named, and homes were ordered to be built within the walls of Brandor to accommodate the senators when visiting the city.
Fourth, every member of this reformed Senate was required to swear an oath that no man or barbarian, no matter how wealthy or strong, would be seen as anything other than equal under Brandor’s laws.
Fifth, Sam established laws for the kingdom’s newfound wealth. He implemented a banking system and, more specifically, created protocol on how this wealth was to be distributed as loans to the people.
Sixth, each member of the army who had fallen in battle was to be compensated. Their debts would be wiped clean, and the Senate would see to it that their creditors were paid in full. Families with no creditors were to be given a lump sum of coin for their loss.
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