No, not people.Gods.
Because that was Altea in the one closest to Iyana’s left, and two down on the right looked like Yrza.Two of them sat empty, with their lids resting against them.Iyana walked on light feet to peer into each coffin.Her nerves were firing, urging her to be as silent as possible to avoid waking any of them.And where before she had thought they were all the same, there was one that was wider than the others.It held a man with dark features, dressed all in black, laying side-by-side with a beautiful woman.They were holding hands.This must be Phaedros and his beloved consort, Dyuna.
Iyana was able to account for every lesser god and goddess except for Gana, who she now knew to be Kaz, and Elena, Goddess of Knowledge.Kaz had told them the story of how Elena had gone missing so long ago, and now it made sense why she had been so emotional about it.Maybe something within her remembered the unexpected loss of a sister.
For those two to be vacant made her confused why Altea and Yrza were currently sleeping.Iyana had seen both of them—Altea in the Everlands and Yrza in Nyr.How could they be sleeping yet still be in other places?
Towards the back of the cavern, there was a raised dais shrouded in shadows that Iyana hadn’t noticed before—the glass coffins had caught her attention first.Careful to keep her steps quiet, Iyana snuck towards the platform to see two more caskets.One held a man, and the other a woman.
The magic surrounding the two was much more potent, making Iyana surmise that this was Zaya and Khonos—Mother and Father of all the gods.
She cautiously climbed the stairs and approached Zaya’s resting place, laying her hand on top.Although the two empty coffins had lids lying next to them, there was no discernible edge or crack for her to open it.
“You can stop trying,” a female voice behind her said, making Iyana jump.“It won’t open for you.”
Turning, Iyana found a tall, gorgeous woman before her.She had voluptuous curves draped within a golden gown and tan skin similar to Iyana’s own shade, but with an almost-blinding glow.Luscious blonde hair was secured to her head with a crown composed of sunbeams.Predatory yellow eyes bored into Iyana, belying the friendly smile she was wearing.
Ciri—Goddess of Day.
Iyana dropped into a bow quickly, not wanting to offend the deity, and only rose when Ciri waved her hand in dismissal.
“My lady,” Iyana said.“Weren’t you just…” She gestured towards the glass coffins below, noting that now three were empty.
“Most of us sleep and wake as we see fit.Some more than others.”Ciri’s gaze glanced towards Phaedros as she said this.“But my mother and father have not awoken since Zaya created the first Aztia and Kanaliza.”
“Why?”Iyana glanced back toward the coffin behind her, then thought it better to keep her eyes on the awake goddess before her.
Ciri shrugged a golden shoulder.“We have tried waking them many times, but to no avail.They continue to slumber.”
“You said some wake more than others?”
“Altea wakes the most often due to her duties in the Everlands, but some of us simply bore of sleeping.Except for Phaedros.My brother chooses to be with his consort until she is able to wake.”
“What about Khollo?”
“He left this world many millennia ago.”Ciri narrowed her eyes, and Iyana realized she was running out of patience.This had all only raised more questions in her mind—especially about Khollo—but banishing the stars was what she needed to focus on.
“One more question, my lady, if you would?”
Ciri nodded her permission.
“How do I banish the stars again?Rigil is already murdering humans and taking some as slaves.”
The goddess frowned.“I’m aware.Unfortunately, only Zaya and the originals possess the information you seek.I cannot help you.”
Iyana deflated.This had all been a waste of time.They could have been focusing their efforts on research and never needed to separate from Talon and Zane.
“And,” Ciri continued, “since you cannot wake Zaya, you must ask the originals.”
“How?”
Yellow eyes sparkled with infinite mischief.“That is more than one question.”
Iyana bowed again.“I apologize, my lady.I am only trying to save your creation from utter destruction.”
A soft tinkle of laughter as warm as a ray of sun surrounded her.“Do not fret, Aztia.You will need to journey to the Everlands.But you must be cautious not to stay for too long.My sister can be greedy with souls who linger within her realm.”
The question of how Iyana was supposed to travel to the Everlands was on her lips, but she swallowed it back down.Ciri had already given her plenty of information, and she had a feeling the goddess’s generosity was short-lived.
