Page 305 of The Gods Order

“Show yourself, Seveous,” I roar.

The power around me thickens, then he steps forward, smiling. I sneer at how black his gums have become.

“Well, well, well. Looks like the God of Death has finally stepped into his own. The bodies you’re leaving behind are impressive. Your father will be pleased.”

“My father is a fool. He should’ve taken the chance when he had it and obliterated us all. Now him, you…you all will meet Death.”

His eyes narrow as he points his sword at me.

“Watch yourself, Creed.”

“No, God of Pain, you should’ve worried about yourself rather than pestering me.”

He attacks with an almost animalistic growl, and I don’t move. I don’t even ready myself as he charges. His power crashes into me, and I allow it. I allow the dull thud to fuel the fever taking its course through my blood.

Our swords collide, and I don’t bother bringing my second one around to end him right here. Right now.

He shoves away from me, then attacks again.

Still, I don’t feed into him. My strikes block and deflect. Nothing more and nothing less. He continues to exhaust himself for absolutely no reason whatsoever. It doesn’t take him long to finally realize that. His features shift. First comes confusion, then fear when I smile at him.

Before he can fall back or starshoot away from me, my power snakes around his body, coiling tighter in black vines. It doesn’t crush or kill him. It holds him where I want him.

I drive him down to his knees.

“Such a pity,” I say as I squat before him. “You know, growing up, Seveous, I feared you more than I did my father. That, of course, was before he raised his hand to me, but you…you took pleasure in piercing me with your Pain. It wasn’t because I needed discipline. Needed to learn how to withstand it. You just enjoyed hurting people. Even a child.”

I release a low laugh as I stand and stare down at the man who used to seem so much deadlier. To many, he still is a force to be reckoned with.

Not to a fully powered son of Obliteration.

Not the fully powered God of Death.

“Well, I’m happy to tell you, I can withstand it now. It’s nothing more than a tickle against my skin. I enjoy that.”

He clenches his jaw, sneering at me.

“Finish it.”

I shake my head.

“No.”

His brows furrow and my gaze casts up to the beings walking up behind him.

“Your soul isn’t mine to take.”

I back away from him, leaving room between us for the two his soul does belong to.

“Father,” Sevryn says.

“Brother,” Gladian grunts.

I turn and walk away.

That’s their justice to serve.

Mine is waiting for my brothers and me.