Forsaken Fates

by S J Doran

  She moved to Mal’s side, the boy giving Cass a confident nod. “I’ll protect her.” He gave Cass a tentative hug, whispering in his ear, “the heavens are no longer safe.”

  The two stepped back together, turning toward the tear in the veil.

  His hands dropped to his knees, his head hung. He couldn’t watch.

  Mara knelt down in front of him, nestling into his arms and resting her head against his heart — which was hammering wildly. He held her close, the two of them wrapped in one another, mourning another lost future.

  “Someone saved her from the Hells, Cass,” Mara whispered against his neck. “She shouldn’t have found her way here.”

  “And Mal?” He rubbed his cheek across the top of her head when her body trembled.

  “Maleficus was supposed to be escorted to the heavens. A celestial collected him in repayment of a debt to you,” she whispered, then her back stiffened. “Someone interfered with the fates of their souls.”

  “I was thinking that too. How though?” It had all happened so fast. Then Mara had died…

  His hands trembled as his air cut off again.

  “Shh, Cass,” Mara said, her fingers turning his jaw so he faced her. “We’ll get answers. Right now, in fact.”

  “That’s not…”

  She’d jumped to her feet and rounded on Ereshkigal before he could finish speaking. That’s not what had upset him, he was going to say. He wasn’t displeased that his daughter’s soul had found its way out of the Hells.

  He just never wanted to remember what it felt like to lose Amara.

  “Where were you?”

  She could feel Ereshkigal’s glowing eyes on her, yet Amara refused to withdraw her own gaze, keeping it locked upon Cassius’s mother, Avrogale. He deserved answers; she had brought him here to collect.

  Eyes of molten gold grew dull as her gaze filled with shame and sorrow, the ethereal glow which enveloped the Sumerian goddess wavering ever so slightly when she raised her chin to meet her own accusatory stare. There was no denying the hurt which radiated from her, yet she felt little inclination towards empathy.

  “I invoked you. All of you. I know you could hear me, yet none of you answered my plea.”

  She took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm when confronting the goddess with her new suspicion.

  “I believed you all too powerless to intervene, but that’s not true, is it? You saved his daughter from the Nessus, yet you didn’t save him. You knew, you saw our suffering and heard our cries… and you did nothing. You allowed Asmodeus to destroy your own son. I had hoped to find you different, but it seems you are no better than the rest of the realms.”

  Moments earlier she’d have thought it impossible for the atmosphere within the bleak landscape of Kur to grow more hostile, yet the shadows grew thicker and the foundation of rock and bones began to shift beneath their feet. The underworld was responding to the energy emanating from Ereshkigal, her anger filling the dusty air with a sharp undercurrent of aggression and indignation.

  “Insolent child. Avrogale sacrificed her son for the sake of the prophecy.”

  She hadn’t realized how tightly coiled her own magic had become until feeling its charge snap and bite against her fingers in protest.

  “Her sacrifice? Need I remind you it was Cassius’s soul that was shredded into oblivion. Exactly what kind of sacrifice is there to be found in closing one’s eyes and turning one’s back?”

  A familiar heat pressed against her back, easing away some of the tension in the cramped muscles of her shoulders and stiffened spine. “Easy Mara, it makes no difference.”

  The demon’s chin came to rest against the top of her head as he pulled her deeper into his chest. His aloofness she recognized for the defensive gesture it was, his unease betrayed by the tensing of muscles.

  “The Hell it does Cass. I remember every tear you spilled for her. You deserved a mother’s love and protection. Don’t lie and say it makes no difference demon, because it does.”

  “I had no choice. My divinity was spent after…” Whatever the goddess had been about to reveal was silenced under Ereshkigal’s scrutiny. “I had no choice but to return without you.”

  Avrogale’s melodious voice was heavy with misery, the glow of divinity around her dampening until it extinguished fully, the goddess almost appearing mortal without it. A stark contradiction to the Goddess of the underworld standing beside her, whose own radiance shone brightly.

  “Avrogale, we owe no apologies to those who are incapable of comprehending what it is we strive to achieve.”

  “The Hells you don’t!” Mara’s chin lifted in defiance towards the goddess of the underworld, her patience with their games at an end.

  Traitors and trades

  “You amuse me, Priestess, and your tongue makes for an impressive weapon. Your words cut deep considering they are spoken by a hypocrite.”

  Cassius’s grip tightened against her hips just as she’d been about to step forward. “Temper your pride, assat shi, she is trying to bait you.”

  It was working.

  “You could accuse me of a great number of failings Ereshkigal and I would deny none, but hypocrisy is not among them.”

  “Are you very sure of that, priestess?” The smile the goddess wore was one of retribution. “I believe you came in hopes of striking a bargain with me?”

  That flare of divine energy she’d been tracking earlier flooded the still air once more, and as it did, an expanding veil became visible behind Ereshkigal’s form, three familiar figures emerging slowly from its hidden depths.

  “Cass?”

  “Yes, I see them too.” His grip on her prevented her from running out.

  Her breath caught in her chest as first Callista, then Morgaine and finally Narissa stepped out from its opening, entering the land of Kur

  “Ahatatu Amara, our little sister… is it truly you?”

  “Cass, it’s truly them” Those simple words had been all the proof she’d needed to be convinced, to make it real. She broke free from his hold and ran into her sisters’ welcoming arms.

  “I am sorry, I tried… I’m here…” They felt so real, warm, alive.

  The last time she’d seen them, their eyes had been lifeless, their fixed expressions contorted with horror, their beating hearts silenced. Her curse had killed them.

  “None of it was your fault ahatatu. We knew of Namtar’s curse. But how could we not love you?” Callista’s tone was stern, its bite softened by the happiness she found in her sister’s eyes.

  She’d finally found them.

  Morgaine looked just as she had in life. Her complexion fair with tawny hair cascading down her back in wild curls, garnet eyes staring back at her in wonder as she let her fingers brush along Amara’s cheek.

  “Ahatatu, what are you doing here?” She picked up one of Amara’s mud-brown braids, studying it with confusion.

  Narissa moved around her, scrutinizing Amara just as carefully. Her sister’s own platinum hair tied in elaborate braids, the flower crown placed atop her head giving her the appearance of a fae princess rather than the bloodthirsty warlock warrior she’d been in life.

  “I’ve been searching the wastelands for you, I’m taking you home”

  Callista approached, her sable locks hanging loose, in life she’d kept it bound tightly. As future Sarratum she’d always been meticulous in both her appearance and actions. The true heir of Asurim, strong, composed and unwavering. Her piercing gaze holding Amara’s own.

  “You don’t know yet, do you?”

  “Know what?”

  Strong fingers closed around her own, forcing her to take a step back as Cassius moved to place himself between her and her sisters. His stance defensive, mistrust evident within his amber eyes.

  “You are Cassius…” Narissa looked up, her own eyes wide in surprise.

  “I am,” the demon said, proudly raising his chin.

  “We thought you dead,” Morgaine joined in, a bright sm
ile lighting up her face as she stared up at Cassius in clear adoration.

  “Amara refused to let me go.”

  “You should have stayed dead.” Callista stepped before Cassius, her fingers tentatively reaching for the rogue curl brushing his forehead.

  Some of that joy she felt at their reunion cooled as her sister’s words registered. “Callista, what the hells are you getting at?”

  “Such a lovely family reunion. I suggest a trade, your sisters in exchange for my Namtar. On one condition, you will ask them for the truth.”

  A heavy sense of foreboding settled, her grip on the crystal inside her pocket tightening. “What truth?”

  Avrogale stepped up from her aunt’s side, “Ereshkigal, there is no need for this.”

  To both Cassius’s and her own surprise, Benzosia moved to stand before them, as if to shield them both from Ereshkigal’s wrath. “She is young still, and her words were spoken from righteous anger. I beg of you goddess, there has been enough loss already. Don’t take this away too. ”

  “Oh very well…” The sneer on Ereshkigal’s lips widened when her dark gaze locked with Amara’s own. “I will ask it. Tell me, Priestess, how is it that your beloved sisters failed to save you from your prison during all those years?”

  The absurdity of the question had Amara release a breath of relief. Her sisters couldn’t have rescued her. “They didn’t know Where I was held…”

  Her eyes locked on Morgaine, finding her sister avoiding her gaze. Unease began to settle.

  “Even if they’d known, they would have lacked the resources and armies to rescue me.”

  Her eyes searched for Narissa’s, discovering her gaze averted as well. That sickening sense of foreboding intensifying as her eyes moved to search Callista’s unwavering gaze.

  “Amata? You’re shaking. We’re leaving this place right now.” Cass pulled her back into the shelter of his arms. “They’ve just taught me how to open the veil. I’ll get us out of here safe.”

  Ereshkigal’s eyes lit up, her anger now focused on Cassius. “You’ll be drained before reaching your destination, foolish boy.”

  Her fingers entwined with Cass’s. She didn’t want to know the truth. But neither could she live with the doubt.

  “Could you have saved me?”

  The question hung in the dusty air, silence stretching before Morgaine answered. “It’s not that simple ahatatu…”

  “We couldn’t kill the son of Asmodeus, he was too well guarded.” Narissa tried to mediate but instantly fell silent when Cassius took a menacing step forward.

  “The prophecy had to be stopped.” Callista’s voice was emotionless, cold in her convictions, a true Asurian queen. “The chance of you two defeating fate was too small to risk...”

  “You thought leaving one of the key pawns of that prophecy in my father’s maddened hands a good idea?” Cass’s voice cracked, incredulity plain. He vibrated with anger.

  In contrast, her own voice had gone small, “You left me to die there, because of a prophecy...?” So quiet she wasn’t even sure she’d spoken. Yet knew she had when all three flinched at the accusation.

  “No, for our realm and our people. Please understand, ahatatu.”

  The tittering sound of Ereshkigal’s taunting laughter broke through the tension.

  “Where is that righteous anger and indignation of yours, priestess? You were so quick to condemn Avrogale, when your own sisters made the same sacrifices.”

  “Amara, we can make this right with you. Things are different now, you triumphed, you found the sword.”

  “Ahatatu, take us with you. We can help you.”

  “Sister, forgive us.”

  Her breath burned in her lungs with the desire to forgive, her heart bleeding disappointment and loss into her chest.

  “A warlock never forgets, and we never forgive. I’ll return Namtar in exchange for Benzosia.”

  “Amara, please…”

  “Ahatatu!”

  Ereshkigal’s gleeful expression changed, the ghost of a smile gracing her, beautiful in its sadness. “I stand corrected.”

  She’d been about to hand over the spirit crystal when Cassius took it from her hand, forcefully shoving her behind his back. Only then did she become aware of the tears rolling down her cheeks.

  “Keep Namtar on a short leash goddess. If he ever comes near me or my wife again, you will find your kingdom and your pantheon forsaken to the fade.”

  “Cassius!”

  “Insolent boy, like it or not — we are your family. You would seek to destroy us?”

  He smiled at the goddess, the gesture so alike the one Ereshkigal had bestowed upon Amara that it was difficult to deny their relation. “In a fucking heartbeat.”

  She couldn’t see Ereshkigal’s expression from behind the protection of Cassius’s broad back, but there was no hiding the outrage in her voice.

  “You have your deal, it is time for you all to leave my realm.”

  The next thing Amara knew she was falling through the air, only to have the breath knocked out of her when she crash landed upon the embankment, outside the gates of Kur.

  To her side Cassius and Benzosia were already rising to their feet, Levistus still unconscious, and judging by his pale and waxen complexion, he wouldn’t be waking any time soon.

  In the distance the waters of the dark river were already beginning to churn, announcing Charon’s pending arrival. Yet her eyes sought out the gates of Kur, her mind returning to the sisters she was leaving behind. The last of her family.

  Strong fingers curled beneath her chin, pulling her gaze away from the gate to stare into eyes of glowing amber. “We are family Mara, you and I. All I need is contained within you.”

  She nodded slowly, had been about to answer when she suddenly caught sight of Avrogale’s devastated expression. The goddess having appeared behind Cassius, far enough that he wouldn’t notice, but close enough that she would have heard his words.

  “You are right, there is nothing left for me in Kur.” She notched her chin in Avrogale’s direction. “But you still have unfinished business here, demon. I was angry and lost my temper, you should talk to her.”

  “Not necessary.” The sides of his jaw bulged, a telltale sign of his annoyance.

  “Actually, it is necessary. We’re running out of options, my heart.” She brushed her fingers down his jaw, trying to ease the clench of his jaw. “Give her a chance. It’s possible she’s honestly remorseful, and you are better than I am. You care.”

  She stepped back and gave Avrogale a small nod, Cass’s eyes flashing a look of devastation at her before turning to look at his mother.

  Peddling corruption

  “I’m gonna help Benzosia hoist your useless advisor into that ferry, who knows, maybe I can sweet talk Charon into accidentally knocking him into the river.” Amara gave him a small grin, though the light in her eyes was still subdued.

  “Don’t board till I’m there,” he spoke over his shoulder as Mara walked off to leave him alone with her. “And don’t toss my advisor into the Styx!”

  “I make no promises…” She didn’t look back, merely called out over her shoulder as she headed off in Benzosia’s direction.

  He could feel his mother’s slow approach, his eyes remaining glued to Amara, grinning as she struggled and cursed while attempting to lift Levistus’s uncooperative form up into a sitting position.

  “Your Amara is quite something, reckless perhaps but fiercely protective”

  “She is everything.”

  Avrogale stepped tentatively closer still, and he was once again alone with her.

  “Ereshkigal should not have done that.” Her divinity was still dimmed, making her look even more like him. More like the mother of his memories.

  “No, she shouldn’t have. The memory of her sisters was probably the only untainted memory Amara still possessed.” He shifted to face her fully. “But that’s what you all do, isn’t it? You find something good, somethi
ng worthy, and you destroy it.”

  “I never intended to destroy anything. Leaving you was the hardest thing I ever did. But I had to do it for you, although you won’t be able to understand that yet. My beautiful boy, there are forces at play, not just within this pantheon, but throughout every corner of the realms. You and your Amara are the center pieces in everyone’s endgame.” She reached for his hand and he allowed her to take it.

  “What if I just took her and razed it all to the Hells?” She was much tinier than he remembered. How had she stood up to his father — survived him?

  “Destiny has marked you both, and because of it, fate is set against you. Nothing is going to be as easy as ‘just taking her.'” She squeezed his hand and blew out an unsteady breath. “I know where the Ruby Rod is. But Cassius, you must understand, corruption is your domain, there is nothing the Rod can do for you but create a glaring weakness. You will not rule it, it will rule you.”

  “Where is it?” He didn’t understand what she meant. Corruption was the domain of the realm he ruled, not his personally. “What is it capable of?” Az hadn’t bothered to give him details.

  “Asmodeus created it to anchor his power.” He hated the way her eyes lit up when she said that name. “It wasn’t a problem until he started storing power in it. Cassius…”

  “You loved him.” He dropped his hand, disgust causing his stomach to churn.

  Avrogale’s eyes dropped to follow his hand, then looked up with a sad smile. “Not the way you love your Amara. He wasn’t always cruel…”

  “Don’t.” He stepped back, and she stepped with him, grabbing his hand once more. “Don’t you dare try and make excuses for him. Do you know what he did? All that he did?”

  Her brow wrinkled, that same furrow formed between her brows that he’d seen in himself. “It started with the Rod. I need you to remember that when you seek out its power. It started when he overreached the power he was capable of. Corruption is a sneaky thing, son. There is no strategy that can predict it, no way to halt its course. It roots in hearts and souls and grows unchecked.”