He exhales sharply and gives me a nod.
“Straight to the barrier. They aren’t far past the stronghold. Sevryn.”
“I’m ready.”
I give Yemi a nod as she wipes away the tears on her cheeks. She fixes her face and returns the gesture.
“Let’s go.”
My power wraps around me at Kyzen’s command. My eyes drift shut and when they open again, I’m feet from the glimmering barrier. We don’t waste a second as we cross it.
Our feet pound against the ground and the heightening of my men’s powers crawls across my skin. I allow mine, all seven, to come to the surface. However I can use them, I will.
My feet slow as we approach the stronghold, but Kyzen grips me by the bicep and pulls me along.
“Don’t look. Tell V to tell Yemi we definitely need that backup.”
My bottom lip trembles as both rage and grief pound at my chest.
“V. We need back up. The stronghold has fallen.”
I swallow the lump that forms in my throat.
I don’t know any of those gods, but a body should never be twisted and mangled like that.
It didn’t even look like they put up a fight. There are no Oblirians or Dark Gods here. If they had already crossed into Godsden, we’d know. We’d have gotten a call that we were needed.
We continue to race down the ashy and gravel-torn path. I’ve never ventured this far this way, and the dilapidated structurestake me by surprise. It shouldn’t, though. Godsden looks pretty rough right before the barrier as well.
A few feet ahead of me, Sevryn slams to a stop. Creed halts at his side and grips his shoulder. Riven, Amick, Kyzen, and I slow our pace and line up beside them.
My hand covers my mouth and I mindlessly step forward, only to be jerked back.
“Don’t,” Riven orders as his swirling eyes scan the crowd.
There are so many bodies scattered across the ground. There’s nothing we can do for them. The countless beings crying and on their knees behind them are a different story, though.
There are no Oblirians or Dark Gods here either, but pure terror is keeping them kneeling there and trembling.
Their sobs and petrified pleas pierce my heart.
My Chaos swirls in my belly. I keep a tight grip on it for now. The rage pouring through me wouldn’t help this situation until we know what the fuck is happening.
There’s also a tremor in my hands and I can’t tell if it’s because of the emotions bleeding throughout me or my Creation is in a frenzy over the unnecessary death staring back at us.
“Sevryn! Sevryn!”
The small voice blares through the crowd and my gaze snaps to the movement on my left. A teenager—a child—no more than maybe sixteen, jumps to his feet.
Tears stream down his cheeks as he races toward us.
“Teagan,” Sevryn shouts as he charges toward the boy.
My tongue hums and everything within my mouth buzzes. Words want to come out, but I have no fucking clue what words. All I sense is the wrongness.
“He shouldn’t have moved,” I whisper.
“What?” Kyzen asks.
