Chapter 5 The Descent

It was time.

The cold winds whistled as the sun buried its face in the clouds. Everything stood still, as if time itself had come to watch.

Before me gaped a hollow hell — a hole black as the devil himself. Noiseless. Eerie.

My heart slammed against my chest, sweat trickling down my neck. I turned around. My father lingered beside me like a dead man walking, unable to move, his breaths shallow and unsteady.

My mother stood at a distance, sobbing, consoled by maids. At the other end, Darion's eyes never flinched. Vesenya stood next to him, hands pressed to her chest as though in prayer.

Just then, a teenage girl with brown curly hair and hazel eyes ambled into the scene, carrying a majestic staff that could belong to no one but the great Chief Zevaris himself. Cassian and his minions followed. Then warriors surrounded us — painted bodies, feathered heads, dead eyes.

The slowly girl knelt before Zevaris and offered the staff wearing a composure belonging only to a properly trained court maiden. "Father, behold your rod of authority by which you subdued the Seven Seas in the name of the late Emperor!"

"Zor en kai!" A crowd chorused behind us.

Only then did I notice the entire village watching.

Chief Zevaris hesitated before lifting the staff from my younger sister's hands.

"Thank you, Mira." He smiled faintly, patting her cheek before squaring his shoulders and straightening.

His aura filled the air.

As he raised the staff, a statue of a lion's head towered over everything and a drumbeat sounded in response, sending shivers down my spine.

"It is time," a priestess sang from the corner.

Then silence spoke before my father did. He passed his gaze to Cassian who remained intent — too intent for my liking.

"This morning, the gods reign in the affairs of men… In my affairs. My family. My village. My home.”

A pause.

"But tomorrow, they may perish by my hands."

Gasps rippled past me.

"Behold, I sacrifice my most cherished possession — the prized jewel of my dominion, the hope of the future. I do this on the table of honor, to the gods who for a thousand years have not spoken to anyone!"

"Zor en Kai!" The chant echoed. The wind shifted.

"Hear me! And if the gods be alive, let them hear me too." He spread his arms and looked up. "I, Zevaris Aurelion, Eyes of the Seven Seas, Hand of the Late Emperor and Ruler of all that kisses the sun. I will avenge my son… If he does not return."

Pindrop silence. His sunken eyes settled on Cassian.

"I will wage war. Against the gods! Against men who bow to them!"

Lightning struck.

The wind tore his robe open, revealing a chiseled frame and red dragon tattoos across his bare chest.

"Today I send my son as a witness — a testament to what remains of my faith in the universe’s ability to deliver justice. He liberated a high priestess and preserved the honor of the gods. Now, if they take him for that act, there will be no gods in this land!"

He turned and grabbed my shoulder, looking me dead in the eyes. What I saw was not my father — but a warrior, a desperate chief with glass in his eyes.

"Be strong, son. Be courageous. Be a witness to the resilience of the realms of men before the alternate dimensions!"

Something about his voice, his faith in me, or his charge, made something sprout inside me. I roared before I could think. "Send me, father!"

Thunder struck.

The drums rolled.

The sky wept. And my heart shuddered.

"I will go, father. But, I will return," I cried, unsure of what I was promising, but desperate to make my chief proud and still my quivering heart.

Turning to my weeping mother, I said, "Mother, cry no more. I will send the gods your regards and bring you gifts from them."

“Vel’kara threx ul’navi!” A priestess called.

"Zor en Kai!" the village roared.

My father veered around as rain flogged us without mercy.

"Survive. By becoming!" he echoed.

My brows furrowed.

Those were the same words Vesenya had spoken to me last night. I snapped my gaze to her. Her eyes were wide — the eyes of someone who had seen a ghost. Her tightened neck muscles said what her mouth could not. Perhaps she had truly seen this coming.

Fear gripped me.

Something was not right.

My father knew more. He knew something I didn't.

Before I could object — before I could form a single word of protest — he whipped around and shoved me, his only son, into the dark abyss.

"Father!"

My scream shredded the atmosphere as the darkness swallowed me whole.