Vasile couldn’t help but laugh. “I have to agree. She is a warrior and leader at heart and has a unique ability to give people energy just through her presence.”
“If you ever tell her I said that, I will deny it and—”
“Turn me into a turd,” Vasile finished for her dryly.
“Actually, I’ve overused the turd threat and have decided to change it to a dung beetle. So instead of being a turd, you actually eat turds.” She smiled wickedly at him.
Vasile shook his head. “You’ve reached a new level of diabolical threats, Perizada.”
“That’s me,” she said proudly. “Always striving to improve no matter how old I get.”
Vasile was about to instruct the group to begin heading outside and gathering into groups for the fae when a flash of light filled the room, and every being in attendance dropped to a knee and bowed their heads.
Chapter Twenty-Five
“There will always be evil in the world. In fact, every person has the capacity for evil inside of them. It is the daily, continual pursuit of goodness, justice, kindness, and selflessness by those unwilling to accept the possibility of evil’s rule in their lives that keeps it at bay.” ~The Great Luna
Peri feltthe power of the Great Luna fill the great hall and couldn’t help but let the hope inside of her, which had heretofore been but a small flame, grow into a raging fire. They wouldn’t have to do this alone. They wouldn’t be facing their biggest battle yet without the help of the goddess who loves her creation with an unconditional love that was hard to comprehend. Not that they’d ever faced any battle alone, but none of those had felt as ominous as this threat. Not even the threat of Volcan against her healers felt this deadly.
“Turn your eyes to the sky and see where your help comes from.” The goddess’ voice, full of power, echoed throughout the room. “It matters not what battle you face. If you fight on the side of righteousness, then I am with you. You’ve only to ask and I will give you strength. I will grant you the ability to defeat your enemy. You need only the faith to follow through. No matter what obstacle you come against, do not doubt my ability to make you victorious.
But hear this. There is no great victory that does not come without great sacrifice. The price of redemption is the shedding of blood. One day, very soon, I will shed my blood to redeem the faithful. Until then, I shed my tears for those who have continually fought the good fight, who have remained faithful even in the midst of trial and tragedy, who will fight one more battle and then come home to me. I shed my tears for the lives that will be lost by those who have no knowledge of the threat they are facing. I shed my tears for the wicked who refuse to turn from their ways, who are willing to take from others, who murder, rape, lie, corrupt the innocent, refuse justice, and live only for themselves. I shed my tears for you, who must remain behind in a broken world.
“Shine bright the light I have placed inside of you. Stand like a city on a hill for all to see and show the world there is something greater than themselves. Show them that, though my wolves are my chosen, I offer my light to any who would turn away from the darkness. I offer my tears to cleanse their land until the time comes for my blood to cover all their transgressions, all their guilt, all their selfishness, all their deceit, every single thing that keeps them in bondage.
“The battle belongs to me! And you are my arm, my sword that will carry out my justice!”
The room was suddenly plunged into silence, but the light that had filled the hall was still there, still illuminating them, reminding them they were not alone.
Peri stood and looked out at everyone, their eyes wide in wonder, tears on many of their faces, hers included. “Pretty sure she just outdid Jen,” she said to Vasile as she wiped the tears from her face.
The Alpha looked at her, tears in his own eyes, though he didn’t bother to wipe them away. “We’ve faced many battles, Perizada of the high Fae.”
She held out her hand and he clasped her forearm. “That we have, wolf. And just like all the others, when the smoke clears, we will be standing victorious.”
The room emptied, everyone marching outside to join the waiting warriors. A hush settled over the crowd. Then, Peri released her power. Her form was outlined in light as she projected her voice out for the entire army to hear. “FOR JUSTICE!”
“WE FIGHT,” they roared in one voice.
“FOR THE INNOCENT.”
“WE FIGHT.”
“FOR THE LOST.”
“WE FIGHT.”
“FOR THOSE WHO CANNOT.”
“WE FIGHT.”
“FOR EACH OTHER.”
“WE FIGHT.”
“FOR THE GREAT LUNA.”
“WE FIGHT.”
