But Vivianna was already moving, her hand pressing to the warrior’s shoulder, her lips forming words I couldn’t hear.
It became soundless, like my head had been shoved beneath water as Vivianna said the warriors name, then her mission. And her destiny.
The light seared brighter and the Valkara blazed, her body shimmering as though a star had been forced under her skin.
Vivianna’s voice returned, clear and terrible. “I have remade her, infused our essence into her veins.”
Aelia’s breath caught. “You... gave her your own life?”
Vivianna shook her head. “No. She bears none of our bloodlines. She is not our kin.” Her eyes shifted again, violet and firm. “But she will answer to us. She has sworn the oath, has drunk the Blood of Life.”
Callisto’s eyes narrowed. “Then she lives between worlds.”
Vivianna nodded. “She will remain untouched by what is coming. No shadow can bite her, no curse can corrupt her, no blade forged in magic can lay claim to her. She will guard Selvarra,” she finished. “To the last breath. Against all who would break it. Even those she loves.”
Orion leaned forward, eyes sharpening as his fingers wove the air into patterns of war. “And if the kingdoms do not rule united?”
“Orion’s already making battle plans,” Callisto muttered.
They all watched as his hands twisted, spastic with hunger. His grin widened, war already written in his smile.
Vivianna turned to them. Then beyond the veil of the clouds. Until her wavering eyes landed on a world already unraveling.
“If the Valkara fails,” she said, “Selvarra will fall.” Her voice fractured into a thousand echoes, all layered and blending into one. “So let them be warned—if war devours the land, if deception rots the throne, Selvarra willbe cleansed. Every kingdom, every crown, returned to stillness. To the beginning.”
“A plague,” Zeki rasped.
“A mercy,” Vivianna corrected quietly.
The Bale.
Orion stepped forward. “And the Valkara, what becomes of her?”
For the first time, Vivianna’s expression faltered, sorrow following beyond eternity. “She cannot die. If she fails, she will remain trapped between worlds. Unable to return.”
The Valkara didn’t cower at what she had promised to her Primal. Only lifted her chin, acknowledging. Accepting.
Vivianna’s hand rose, the glow fading altogether. The warrior nodded to each God, one by one, before turning, climbing the marble steps, and leaving them in the stillness.
Ophielle’s fingers tapped the rim of her flute, the sound too soft, too fragile in the vast chamber. “How are we any better than Deimos?”
Orion scoffed, tilting back his glass. “Who cares?”
Wine slicked his mouth as the empty goblet hit the table with a satisfying clink.Beyond the open arch, more Pegasi sailed through the clouds, their feathers catching the blush-colored light, glittering against the sky.
He leaned back, sneering. “How did the Angels win themselves such a view while we were left to rot in dirt?”
Aelia clicked her tongue. “You are so horrid, Orion. Try finding one thing not to complain about. It might even do you some good.”
He flashed her a savage grin. “Took that to heart, land God?”Aelia only crossed her arms, scoffing as she turned away.
“I will also create a cure.” Vivianna glided to Orion. “A final chance.”She reached for him, fingers brushing the edge of his hand, just a pinky grazed. Her breath faltered as he pulled away without the kindness of acknowledgment.
Ophielle whispered beneath her breath, too foreign for my ears, though I didn’t miss the thread of mist that pulled Orion’s eyes back to Vivianna for a fragmented moment.
“Let the plague rise,” Vivianna commanded, her voice sliding low. “For it is not the ending but reckoning. And we will let goodness ascend to meet it.”
“A reckoning leaves nothing standing,” Callisto breathed.
