Page 96 of Cheating Fate

“Why should we care whether the Draylians side with us or not? Why would we want you as our allies?” Vahl challenged in a conversational tone devoid of any disdain or haughtiness.

“Because Dread isn’t our only mimic,” she warned. “One of us can be all of you. No word can begin to describe the type of carnage that will ensue if we fight on opposite sides of the war. And if we win, it will be the end of the universe as we know it. The warmonger faction will wipe out entire species and enslave others. Their resentment and anger run even deeper than what I feel. We cannot—must not—allow it to happen.”

With all the Hallowed Knights resurrected, I proceeded with deep healing of their injuries. A part of me was torn seeing the souls of the humans and Zolians still lingering and starting to decay. The healer in me burned with the need to make them whole again. But they were enemies here to kill and harm us. Did that justify not granting them much-needed assistance if we had the ability to give it now that they were subdued?

Vahl lowered his eyes, lips pursed as he reflected deeply.

“Who’s behind all of these attacks?” my brother asked at last. “Who is orchestrating the Great War?”

Svira gave him an indulgent smile.

“The Great War will not be the result of a single person’s actions,” she said calmly. “The current trade war provoked by the Galactic Alliance’s greed and power grab is just the excuse a lot of people have been looking for. Many planets wanted to settle scores with enemies or those they perceived as competition. It will be all those petty fights combined that will make the whole thing blow up. And for this reason, you will want us with you.”

“The Korletheans will have an issue with that,” Vahl said in a slightly taunting fashion.

“To Gharah with the Korletheans!” Svira hissed. “They’re in no position to talk or make demands. Their selfishness and carelessness brought your mother’s and your father’s species to the brink of extinction. And yet, when they came crawling to you for asylum, you took them in. We haven’t hurt you.”

“I’ve known Svira for years,” Taseus interjected. “The Draylians genuinely want peace. In their position, wouldn’t you want it as well?”

Vahl didn’t answer right away. He stared at her, his wheels spinning.

“How do I contact you?” he asked.

“You do not,” Svira replied in an imperious tone. “At least, not for the moment. It wouldn’t be safe for either side. Anyway, now is not the time. Many more trials await you and your companions. You must prevail in all of them.”

“Or else what?” my twin challenged. “You will fight us?”

She vehemently shook her head.

“No. Whatever the outcome, my faction will fight on your side. But many of my people will fight against us. And that will lead to an epic bloodbath,” she replied with a haunted expression.

“Why fight with us if it will lead to a bloodbath?” Gavin asked.

“Because I would rather die on the right side of history,” she replied, lifting her chin defiantly. “I refuse to live in the nightmarish alternative. I’m not being overly dramatic when I tell you that the type of damage that will follow a Draylian victory can never be undone.”

“If now is not the time, why tell me?” Vahl asked. “You could have waited until the appropriate moment to make contact.”

“Because I need to lay the foundation upon which we can start building trust before it is all out war,” she explained with a shrug.

“Why me? Why not the Sentinels?” Vahl insisted.

She huffed and waved a dismissive hand.

“Thanks to the Korletheans, the entire galaxy sees us as monsters. And Dread’s insane attack against the Sarenians has burned even more bridges,” she said with a disgusted expression. “But you are like us. All of you young Titans have tasted the rage, the blood thirst, the constant fight for self-control. You know the anguish of trying to silence the urge to harm your parents and those you love. We want the same kind of peace and normalcy that you, Veredian Titans, are now enjoying.”

A shudder ran through me. Aside from Lenora—who wasn’t a Titan—my other Veredian companions all displayed the same distraught and haunted expression. How we had fought to resist the primal urge to kill and maim the adults that we perceived as apex predators on our territory. If not for Grappa Eryon defying his people’s edict to come teach us kaa, the Goddess only knew what kind of massacre we would have committed. Vahleryon had been weeks, maybe even days away from losing the battle when he came to our rescue.

She cast a sad look at the fallen enemies that the Braxians were now lining up neatly along the sidewall.

“So much senseless death. They’re not evil, just desperate. You were wise to arrest these ones instead of killing them,” she said with resignation before shifting her attention to me. “Healer, if you find it in your heart—and assuming it is not too late—I would beg that you resurrect the ones who can still be. They can also be interrogated.”

“Why should she?” Vahl asked with genuine curiosity.

“Because although their rationale is flawed, strong reasons led them here,” she replied calmly.

“How would you know? Were Draylians involved in this attack?” Gavin asked.

“No,” she said firmly. “Even the warmongers want the Veredian Titans to survive,” she replied.