It was Elwin who spoke up then, asking, “If we’re all allowed a question, I’d like to know where the beings from other belief systems reside? Is Divinus sectioned off based on those systems, and how is it decided who is in power here with so many different beliefs? I would assume there could be a large power struggle or an issue with keeping some beings in line if they wanted more control.”
And just like that, reality hit me square in the chest. The reminder was important–that despite the feeling of security here, this realm was not entirely safe for us. For all we knew, we had enemies lurking who knew where up here.
Remi chuckled. “That was way more than one question, but we don’t mind answering. At the end of the day, I think those are all great questions to ask, considering what you could be up against with Zeus.”
Leave it to Elwin to stay focused and understand the exact information we needed to move forward. I really was so impressed by his brain at times.
“We all reside within our own system’s area. We’re split up in that sense, but there is no territory name for each belief system like there is in Praeditus or Ordinarius.”
A million questions flew through my mind. Were there still territory lines to be respected? What happened if a system needed to grow in size geographically?
“Second, in terms of who helps control the balance, it was decided long ago that out of all the beings in each system, the Thrones from our first sphere would act as a neutral force to ensure laws were being followed. The conception of Thrones came out of the need to mete out divine justice and maintain the cosmic harmony of all universal laws.”
I was struggling to understand if the Thrones were like a police force in a human sense or if they were more like a judge in a courtroom. It truly didn’t matter, though, so I didn’t want to interrupt him as he continued to answer another of Elwin’s questions.
“In that same vein, to put it simply, no one is or has absolute power. At the end of the day, we all try to understand and accept that we are equal because we have people who believe in all of us, hence our ability to all be here at the same time. Power only wanes when our followers stop believing. So truly, it’s not in our hands who has the most power. That helps prevent battles for control, though that’s not to say some haven’t tried in the past. However, when that happens, it’s usually just fighting within one system, not against another.”
Power being dependent on their following and their beliefs was a really interesting concept. That system acted as a form of checks and balances all on its own, with the rise and fall of so many different empires and their gods and goddesses.
My train of thought had me opening my mouth and asking, “Does that mean you aren’t immortal?”
Jer spoke up softly from his spot at the end of the table near Rag. “We are only immortal as long as our belief system is intact. It’s what feeds our energy.”
My eyes dropped to my mostly empty plate as the information brought Zeus to the forefront of my mind. “Does anyone believe in the Greek gods and goddess anymore? I would’ve thought they would have fallen by now.”
Zer chuckled, the sound deep and resonating as he leaned back in his chair with his hands clasped behind him. “And it seems like you’ve figured out why he’s likely making his move with Helen. Theyarewaning in power. While they do still have followers called Hellenists, their numbers have severely dwindled. My best guess is that Helen has teamed up with the curses released from Pandora’s box. My assumption is that they made a deal to help spread Hellenism, and Helen and Zeus agreed to handle you, their only adversary.”
Holy shit.
Elwin and I glanced at each other. “That tracks,” I murmured to him. “What do you think?”
He swayed his head side to side while contemplating. After a moment, he sighed and said, “I think it’s the first full picture we’ve had of the situation that actually ties it all together. If this is what’s happening, it’s not just the curses we need to be afraid of. If we defeat them, Zeus and Helen will be out for our blood for getting rid of who they charged with ensuring their belief system spread.”
Shit.
“So that means we need to defeat both the cursesandZeus and Helen,” I countered with disbelief, but Raph cut me off.
“Can’t do that. Immortal, remember? At least for the time being.”
Well, damn.
We fell silent, likely all pondering what the long-term solution was with this situation, until Zurie piped up, “Hell!”
We all turned our attention on her as she began to speak very quickly and excitedly, her eyes going round with each word. “You need to hide in Hell until Zeus and Helen naturally lose their power. No being from Divinus can go to Hell unless they are fromoursystem here. There are only two ways for those within our particular belief system to travel to hell. They either fall and forever call Hell their home, or they’re blessed by the creator to go as a messenger, which is something that has only happened before with the archangels here. It was when we met, actually.”
Well, we’ve seen every other realm at this point. It only made sense to check off the final one. And with Ama adopting us into her family, the ease of the solution lifted a weight from my shoulders and left me feeling almost…happy. The only downside was the question of whether we would have to live in Hell indefinitely.
Who knew how long it would take for Hellenism to fade in full. Coming from Pandora’s box, we also didn’t have the slightest idea of our own life spans. There wasn’t really a guide book to it.
Before we could speak further on Zurie’s idea and the implications of what would happen if we followed through with it, a massive ball of light appeared in the kitchen. I raised my arm to protect my eyes on instinct, wincing and preparing for my skin to be burned away.
“Ariel!” Raph boomed, excitement filling his tone.
As I realized I seemed to be perfectly okay, I slowly cracked an eye open. Upon lowering my arm, I found that the light had dulled slightly but was still surrounding the woman who stood with her wings tucked against her back. She really did appear to glow white and because of that, I had no idea what her actual hair or skin color was. However, I could make out through the light that her eyes were a piercing gold color.
She turned her attention from Raph to me, golden eyes blazing in my direction as she asked, “Is this her?”
Her voice sounded…different. The sound was hard to place, but it was almost as if her words were carried on a wind to me, giving her a soft, almost whimsical tone.
