GODLY WAYS

Smothering rain fell from jaded sky in an endless torrent, sweeping away around the tall mountaintops surrounding a deep, seemingly bottomless valley. Creases at the edges sang an infinite tune as winds bellowed back and forth, seemingly calling forth something which lied in the depths. At the very bottom of the valley, where rivers of flame and ice intertwine like a perfect concord of two opposing Laws. Like Dragons, the two rivers coiled around and through one another as they – at their ends – entered a singular pit beneath, leading to the belly of the world. Warm and cold colors interwove like silken threads, giving light to the natural pillars which upheld the massive, roofed cave lying at the bottom of the valley.

From time to time, from within the flow of the rivers images would flash; mouths of featureless faces gaped, blood running like river outwardly as a faint and brief scream would echo outward. At one of the intersecting points of the two rivers, a youthful-looking man with golden hair sat cross-legged. His expression appeared tranquil and serene, a faint smile emerging on his fair, pale face. As seconds and minutes ticked by, the churning rivers suddenly calmed down, their presence almost completely vanishing, leaving behind only faint luster which they emitted.

At last, the complete silence took over as the youth suddenly opened his eyes. They appeared swirling, dyed in intertwining hues of cyan and golden, as though two opposites finally began the last waltz before their demise. The eyes grew and shrunk as though they were a beating heart and, after a few moments, turned completely black, all light which entered them being completely devoured, leaving no trace behind.

“F-forgive me for-for contacting You, Father.” the youth spoke in a terrified and apologetic tone. “Forgive me, please! Please! Forgive me! Forgive me!” the youth echoed his sentiments over and over again as crimson blood trickled down the corners of his eyes and mouth. “I-I’m sorry! I never would have, but, but I – forgive me! I learned, I learned something, Father!!” the youth broke out in a painful, agonizing scream as his body fell backwards, skin on his face melting like stew as steam trickled up in smoke off his ruined face. “T-the Rift, the Rift in the-in the Mortal, Mortal Realm! It-it will be-the-the weakest!” his screams filled with anguish subsided and slowly faded as the silence emerged.

A few minutes later, the youth took in a deep breath as though he just awoke from a terrible dream as he bolted onto his feet, his breathing quick and ragged. Sweat wetted his clothes as though he swam, and blood on his face had already tried up, but he seemed to have suffered no lasting wounds, like nothing just transpired. His pupils remained dilated and it took nearly an hour for him to slowly calm down as he regained his fierce dignity plastered in-between his brows. Smiling faintly, he shrugged and left the rivers which immediately began churning and battling yet again. He headed upward, entirely out of the valley and onto one of the mountaintops surrounding it.

There, six people waited in line; two women, three men, and a young child without a face. All had expressionless faces as they gazed into the youth’s eyes, as though trying to read something. While rain poured down in the deep night, and thunder would boom through the sky on occasion, the seven of them suddenly sat down in a half-circle.

“We are still unable to discover whereabouts of the Last Guardian.” one of the two women said; she was thin and short, her gallant hair pouring down in black curves, her face oval-shaped and fair, voice echoing the gentleness her brown eyes bore. Her name was Eeala, and she was a False God of Wind. “I will head out and personally search for him.”

“No need,” the golden-haired youth said, faintly smiling. “I have informed the Father.”

“… but… you seem fine.” the child said, seemingly unconvinced. His featureless face appeared like a mask, yet it was just flesh, molded into itself, his actual face hidden behind. The child’s name was Yook, and he was a False God of Deceit.

“He forgave me.” the golden-haired youth explained. “And healed me.”

“That’s new.” the other woman said; in contrast to the first, she was the tallest of the entire group, and bore sculpted muscles everywhere. Her jaw was rough and masculine, eyes narrow and mean-looking, with brows above bushy and thick, deep-red in color, much like her short hair. Her name was Ijoni and she was a False God of War.

“Hush.” the shortest of the men – just slightly taller than the child – said in a reprimanding tone. He had balding head and wrinkled lines over his forehead and was slightly plump in his appearance. His name was Soyika, and he was a False God of Dread. “Don’t speak ill of the Father.”

“What now?” one of the other two men asked; he was average in height and build, with completely ordinary features – save for a large scar running from his left brow, over his nose and right cheek. His name was Sa Rai, and he was a False God of Hope.

“We’re close to completing the Gateway,” the golden-haired youth said – Ryon – and smiled. “And the fools don’t even suspect a thing. Maintain the current status. Call some of our hidden pawns in action and create chaos in their own ranks. It should buy us some time.”

“Should we really leave the boy alone?” the last man spoke in a faint whisper; both his eyes were strangely closed, his lips sewn shut with thread, and both cheeks had two round holes from which inside of his mouth could be seen. He had elongated, slick jaw and greasy, short black hair. Coupled with a snow-pale complexion, he appeared more like a corpse than a living. His name was Njo, and he was a False God of Sin.

“Why not?” Ryon asked.

“He’s at his weakest right now,” Eeala said. “It’s the best chance to get rid of him. They’d have a great deal of trouble finding his replacement.”

“He’s most-likely protected,” Yook said. “My guess is by at least one of the other Seven Guardians. I’m not confident in taking action against the boy right now.”

“Yook is right,” Sa Rai said, his long scar seemingly shimmering for a moment. “It would be too much of a risk. We can just continue feeding them false hope.”

“… I say we go after him.” Ijoni said, clenching her fists tightly together and creasing her thick brows. “I’ve seen what he’s capable of. Even at our quickest, it will at least take us ten years to complete the Gateway. In that time, I’m certain he’ll at least catch up to the other Guardians in strength, if not surpass them.”

“Ha ha ha,” Njo suddenly laughed, his sewn lips parting suddenly; his laughter was cold and coarse, seeming almost otherworldly, causing even those who knew him well to subconsciously take a step back. “You all pay too much attention to some hairless brat. I’ll take care of him.”

“… you won’t be able to.” Ryon said, causing Njo’s closed eyes to suddenly open. They were completely white, without a smudge or trace of tarnish.

“You’re saying I’m not capable of corrupting a mere child?! Perhaps I have lay dormant for far too long, and you all have forgotten who I am.”

“Nobody’s forgotten, Njo,” Ryon said, frowning for a moment. “But… that boy… if he’s so easy to corrupt, he would be lying dead someplace. He’s already ripped someone’s Soul apart, and began devouring their memories. You can’t corrupt that which is already beyond help, Njo.”

“… ripped someone’s Soul apart?!” Soyika exclaimed softly, his lips creeping up into a slight, nervous smile. “Why is this the first time we’re hearing that, Ryon?”

“Because none of you would have believed me.” Ryon said calmly. “That is why I first had to have you learn about the boy. To understand what he’s capable of.”

“He’s right,” Eeala said. “Well, at least I wouldn’t have believed it.”

“If he’s already crossed so far, you’re right,” Njo said, his eyes closing yet again. “I can’t do anything to him. Rather, he’d probably defeat me in my own game.”

“Avoid the boy for the time being,” Ryon said. “And focus on other tasks at hand. Inform the others about the proceedings, and lay low. Meeting like this takes up too much energy – energy we can’t afford to waste anymore.”

One by one, the figures disappeared in a puff of smoke washed away by the pouring rain. Soon enough, the mountaintop was empty of life, as though it was like that since the day it emerged from the depths. Night bellowed on as thunder scarred the sky, and hidden moon sang its melancholy tune of eternal loneliness, for this was a realm which had never seen its shine.

* *

Tens of thousands gathered in the streets as cheers doused the silence dry. Men and women of all ages and statues lined up neatly, opening up a perfect, straight road leading forward. A beautiful adorned carriage pulled by even more noble and beautiful manes was moving forward slowly, its roof and sides stripped clean, showing the insides where a man wearing whole white suit and a woman in a beautiful, white wedding gown were sitting, hand in hand.

Thalia and Parsia were both smiling and waving non-stop as people surrounding them cheered fervently. The carriage moved slowly throughout the entire mainstay of Skyfire Paradise, directly toward the Palace where the open wedding was to be held as well as Parsia’s Crowning immediately afterwards.

Ways off from the main street where the ride was taking place, atop a tall tree, three teenagers sat down in silence. Silo, Rena and Amelia sat, the former two frowning as they watched the distant parade taking place. The trio had slowly began showing signs of adulthood over the past year, and were all growing taller steadily, nearly catching up to some adults.

“This isn’t right.” Silo said, his frown deepening, his voice carrying a hint of anger. “How can we just accept a new King all of a sudden?”

“We won’t.” Rena said coldly.

“… you two…” Amelia said, her voice carrying a hint of worry. “Just… just don’t do anything stupid.”

“Wherever King Lynne is,” Silo said, ignoring Amelia. “He’ll eventually come back. He built all of this, protected it with his life, yet… look at them. Cheering, happy, in complete delirium. It hasn’t even been half a year since he left, yet he’s already being forgotten. This isn’t right.”

“I expected more from Lady Thalia.” Rena said.

“… I can’t stay here anymore,” Silo said. “Let’s pick one of the long missions from the Sect and leave.”

“Agreed.” Rena said.

“You can stay Amelia.” Silo said as his frown finally subsided and his lips curled up in a gentle smile. “I know you like this place.”

“B-but—“

“It’s fine.” Rena interrupted her, smiling as well. “You belong here. We’ll send you letters occasionally so you don’t get worried.”

“… you guys…” Amelia’s eyes grew watery as tears slowly poured out; she leapt over and hugged both Rena and Silo tightly as the two sighed in defeat, stealthily glancing at each other with accepting smiles. “You promise! Promise me you’ll send me a letter each day!”

“Each day?! Are you nuts? Get off!” Silo said as he pushed her away gently. “More like once every half a year. If we remember.”

“A month! Once every month! You must! Or I’ll gather up everyone and go looking for you.”

“… once a month.” Rena said, sighing. “We promise.”

“Good. I’ll… I’ll go back. Come and say goodbye before you leave.” she skillfully climbed down the tree and disappeared from their sights shortly after, leaving the two sitting on a thick branch in silence.

“Do you think it’s true?” Rena asked. “That the King abdicated the throne?”

“No way.” Silo shook his head decidedly and firmly. “He’s probably off somewhere, saving the world, and look what’s being done to his own creation. I wonder what’d he do if he saw it.”

“…” Rena said nothing, merely silently gazing at Silo, her expression conflicted.

She suspected that the official writ was correct, and that Lynne abdicated the throne. Perhaps it wasn’t out of desire, but out of necessity; nonetheless, she believed he did it. Ever since she met him in person, she never imagined him as someone who’d sit on the throne all day long and listen to the squabble of rich and spoiled. To her, he always appeared as a restless soul, a man who would burn out in a glorifying battle, rather than die of old age while his bones cried. She also knew Silo wouldn’t understand that; to him, Lynne was both – the warrior who rode a Dragon into a battle, and a just King who sits on the throne.

Whatever the case may be, she decided not to share her thoughts with him. In the end, it didn’t matter whether Lynne abdicated the throne or not; he wasn’t here either way and, just like Silo said, he’s probably off to somewhere, saving the world. While Silo may have just said it out of respect, Rena strangely believed it. Perhaps not the world, but certainly saving someone or something, just like he saved her, and thousands upon thousands of others here.