“Who are you?” Sigvid demands, even as the sneaky suspicion in his gut grows more pronounced.
The first figure steps into the flickering light, which reflects off its spectral form. Sigvid goes rigid as he meets the ghostly stranger. The resemblance is striking as if he is looking into a mirror. Everything from his facial structure, beard, broad shoulders, and muscle tone is eerily like his own–as if his image is reflected as a ghost.
The Briny God.
“I am so proud of you, my boy.” He barks.
Sigvid’s hand snakes behind his back to clutch Avina’s wrist.
A thicker pillar candle ignites, and a newcomer appears—an ethereal woman with long, flowing hair that morphs with her fluid gown. Surprisingly, she is out of breath for a goddess.
“Briny! We were to all appear at once.” Maeve chastises as she fixes her hair.
The Briny God glances at her while fluttering his hand over one of the flames. “I could not control myself.” A mischievous grin twists over his lips. “They were about to leave the room, and I had to stop them. And do not tell me our entrance was not perfectly timed, Maeve.”
Maeve sighs just as all the flames reignite, leaving Sigvidand Avina in the center of the circular room, with six ghostly gods and goddesses surrounding them.
The pantheon of the Endless Shore.
“What is the meaning of this?” Avina steps forward with a defensive hand on her stomach.
Maeve’s expression softens. “My lovely, bright girl.”
Avina’s brow furrows.
“I need an explanation from the two of you,” Sigvid points between the two patron gods of Treland with a commanding tone. “What is this about?”
The Briny God strokes his hand through his braid. “Maeve and I could not bear to observe the dismantling of Treland. What with the corrupted provinces and Sacred Stones,” he shakes his head.
“To rectify the issue, we chose our champions,” Maeve clarifies. “You are bothhalvgud. Avina ismytrue daughter. Her mind is a gift of the gods.” The Goddess studies Avina as if she is the wonder Sigvid has considered her since the war. “I chose the baby conceived by Viktoria Redwood and Ceowald Bloodstone. Her blood may run crimson with Ridge and Timber, but her mind is mine.”
The Briny God strokes his beard, shifting his stance so he no longer looks directly at them. “I-er possessed your father for a wild night with Frida. It is difficult to materialize a full form on the mortal plane,” he mutters.
Sigvid is not usually left speechless or bereft of a snarky comment. At this moment, he gapes at his god, hoping this is all just a bad dream.
“Your strength and dashing good looks are godly,” The Briny God smirks.
“You created us for the sole purpose of reunifying the Sacred Stones and the country?” Avina's unconvinced tone mimics Sigvid’s sentiments.
Maeve and the Briny God exchange a knowing glance.
“Not just for Treland.” A wispy voice interrupts the family reunion.
They both whirl to see a short, hooded goddess. His lore suggests she is Noxumbra, the Goddess of Fate.
“The fate of the Endless Shore is at stake. Thrain may also be ahalvgud,but he is of a Draemonium origin.”
Draemoniumare a myth–a horror story to frighten little children back into bed. They represent the opposite of the benevolent gods–like Maeve or the Briny God. Legends state that if the drauger of the Abyss–led by their overlords, the Draemonium–are to control the mortal realm, they will plunge the world into darkness and decay.
At least, that is what the ancient legends foretold.
Sigvid stares unblinking at the Briny God. “You are saying Thrain had no choice. That his bloodline condemned him to act out his atrocities?” He counters.
Noxumbra shakes her head. “Everyone has a choice, Sigvid. You chose to kill Rendel, just as Avina chose to stay at your side after you captured her. Your love is not from any meddling of the gods.”
“Thrain made his bed,” the Briny God adds. “Yet, that does not excuse Freyr’s actions. His evil cannot overtake the Endless Shore.”
With the knowledge from the gods, Avina’s fate is more significant—not just to Treland but to the continent. Their child will invigorate the souls of their people.
