— There's a strange feeling in the air, can you sense it? — Farandhur's restrained and calculated voice made itself present. The god of Magic was leaning against one of the colossal pillars of the goddess of Justice's dwelling.
The sacred city of Vasbalión did not belong to the earthly world known to humans. It hovered beyond reality, unreachable to all except a few chosen ones. There, between the sky and the abyss, stood seven floating islands, each guarding a house, a deity, a distinct sphere of power. Seven houses, seven gods, seven territories shaped by the absolute essence of those who inhabited them. Vasbalión was not just a place, but a breath of eternity — a space where time bowed before the presence of those who had shaped the laws of the world.
The Eternal Tribunal rose, immense, like a city-temple suspended over the endless abyss. Everything there was made of white marble, so perfectly polished that the sky, eternally cloudy and gray, seemed to reflect on every surface, making it difficult to distinguish where the stone ended and the shifting veil of clouds began. In the distance, colossal columns supported arcades carved with ancient inscriptions, impossible to decipher, as if they were the first laws of the world, engraved there since before the gods raised their voices.
At the heart of the domain lay the Great Hall of the Scale. And there, suspended by invisible chains, oscillated a colossal scale, forged in matte gold and polished obsidian. It measured not only souls but also ideas, gestures, and intentions of those who dared to cross that territory. Nothing in that place seemed to move without purpose. The air was thick, heavy like a verdict, and silence hung absolute, as if existence itself awaited the next judgment.
Unlike Farandhur's abode, the Ether Labyrinth had no beginning nor end, only corridors folding over themselves, made of pure energy pulsating in shades of deep blue, violet, and silver. The liquid walls shimmered at the slightest touch, sometimes solid, sometimes dissolving into mists that seemed to breathe with the will of the god who dwelled there. The floor supported footsteps as if made of glass, but beneath it ran a river of constellations never seen in the mortal world: distant stars slowly spinning, indifferent to the presence of those who dared walk that place. Above, the sky opened into domes of light and shadow, where arcane symbols formed and dissolved, like forgotten thoughts. Music floated in the air — sometimes sweet, sometimes dissonant — changing tone according to the desire or fear of whoever dared to cross that domain. At the center of it all stood the Tower of Mirrors, a structure that seemed to obey no law of physics, reflecting infinite versions of those who observed it: faces, memories, intentions, exposed wounds. At the top of the tower, Farandhur normally resigned himself, wrapped in translucent robes, seated on a floating throne made of glass and living runes, which rewrote themselves incessantly, like a spell that would never cease to be cast. At the heart of the Labyrinth, time did not exist. Only power, desire... and the silence of one who knows they guard all secrets — even those they would rather never have known.
Only one non-divine creature, Khaled, had set foot in his domain, being allowed to discover some of its secrets. Farandhur never left his own territory; he needed to weave arcane webs and discover new foundations. However, he felt a subtle oscillation in his own writings. It had happened before, at a time he would not recount. And so, he went to visit the one responsible for interfering. The secret they both kept from all others. He had been convinced by Everyn to keep one more secret in her tower; this one, more mortal and harmful than many others.
— Farandhur. — Everyn said, knowing she would soon be visited. The woman was a short and gaunt figure. Humanoids did not know, but the gods were once earthly figures, in a forgotten time from which no records remain. One day, the goddess of Justice had been human. Long, wavy hair like ocean waves cascaded onto the white floor; it was unknown how far the strands stretched, scattered across the room, the grayish tone mixed with the soft amber of youthfulness. She had a thin and pale appearance, watery blue eyes, and was blind. Her lips were thin and wrinkled. — My old brother.
Farandhur furrowed his brow slightly at her words. Had he been ignored? The god sighed at the ephemerality. The elf, completely different from the goddess of Justice, exuded youthfulness, as if magic flowed through his body instead of aged mortal blood. Although neither could die, having reached the utmost power existing in present times. Large ears, with earrings that looked like shining cosmic stars. Skin black as night, with small marks resembling stars. Short dark hair, yet shiny silver at the tips. The god of Magic exuded a supernatural aura, power, and arrogance. Greenish eyes, like polished emeralds from salt deserts.
— Please, sister. Just answer what I came to inquire. Did you meddle in my domains? — Farandhur asked, slightly displeased, stepping away from the pillar. He walked toward the woman who stared at the scale with her blind eyes. — Justice, isn't it?
— It was because of an inconvenience, brother — Everyn turned for the first time since she had sensed the presence of the aspect of Magic. — Khaled, the elf mage, left the tower after two hundred years, and I cannot leave his path completely free.
Farandhur was silent for a few moments, absorbing the information. He knew some of his siblings watched over humans, feeding on their prayers and faith, but Farandhur didn't care. As long as magic existed, there would be a sovereign god who changed reality. So, he did not usually watch the mundane plane carefully, and thus he did not know Khaled had left the tower. He had done so once, long ago — time that did not run for him. When he saw an impressive, ambitious, and destined magical talent, he fell in love with the magic flowing in that elven creature. And he began to communicate, wishing for his growth and that he would achieve power beyond the mortal. However, it was a complete mistake when he realized Khaled wanted to steal his position.
— It doesn't matter, Everyn. I will not allow him to touch the lines of magic as he did. I do not interfere with what my children do with their gifts. You act against ancient laws, against what we were taught. On your walls are written the teachings that are part of our existence. Do not act above what you are. — Farandhur respected the laws. When he interfered once, he turned his back and did not warn Khaled as he should have. His sin was to involve himself with a mortal, manifesting fruitless and unnecessary emotions for a deity.
— There is no understanding in your words, brother. I am Justice. — Everyn said, with her soft and hoarse, aged and distinct voice.
— Yet, you are not above. — He looked around, as if he could see beyond the walls, beyond the scale. — It doesn't matter what the elf's goal is. Let the humanoids handle it. Don't they have champions who can intercede? Let them act. Stop committing recklessness and sins — the god said more firmly, turning and beginning to walk. He would not stay longer; the warning had been given. — If you persist, I will call the Council, sister.
Everyn knew what it meant for the Council of Gods to convene after so many centuries. She could not allow Farandhur to summon the meeting, so she would have to act more cautiously than before; she had no way to pull the magical thread without the knowledge of the one who was purest Magic. So, she would do it her way. She would not allow someone so vile and ambitious to gain the power to ascend again. Even if that meant breaking some magical laws...
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Three days on the train heading to the capital. At least, they were able to get a more comfortable cabin with the money they had recovered after doing a good round at the lagoon that formed after the river. He was tired and knew that Khaled felt the same. Their clothes were still in tatters, but they could get a good bath for a few coins, and the services made up for the extra money they paid, especially regarding the food and accommodations. Even though they were together in a private cabin, they exchanged little more than a few passionate kisses. He didn't feel he should use the cabin like any regular inn room. Better to focus on the current situation.
— Why can't they locate you? As far as I know, there are spells for that, aren't there? And Everyn must be paying attention to everything. — Dealing with deities still seemed surreal to him. He couldn't imagine the gods caring about everyday life. He knew that the Goddess of Nature and Harvest made lush pastures exist. Divine existence was more important than spells and miracles because it made the world be the world as they knew it.
— I can protect us against location spells. There's no way for them to find us unless I allow it. — Khaled stared out the train window. The landscapes passed by quickly, and he enjoyed the ever-changing view. They had already passed through hamlets, villages, towns, mountains, vast pastures, forests, rivers, and even beneath the dwarven mountain, Dul'Zamar; he imagined that digging the tunnel through it had been their own work. All at a speed greater than that of a carriage or a horse.
He still marveled easily at the technology he was witnessing and knew he would find even more in the capital city of Elderim. Funny to realize how humans managed to advance so quickly despite their limitations. Elves, always so slow. He only saw this ingenuity among the dwarves, who also lived a long time, but didn't let the course of life unfold naturally; they just made their lives easier with their inventiveness. Each race had a different perspective and vision, and that could be noticed while traveling. Even the orc city of Morg-Dak seemed different from how he remembered it. Human landscapes really change so easily that it was almost painful. Ancient heroes become legends, and everyone slowly begins to forget them. In a little while, there would be no trace left of the Kingdom's Defenders. And others would rise, taking their place, because in this world there would always be some menacing evil desiring power.
— The gods are creatures that were once mortals. You might think my words are absurd, but they're true. The Realm of the Gods, the divine abode of Vasbalión, can be visited if someone has enough permission and power. Not just anyone can ascend the marble stairways. One must imagine that the four heroes had the honor of climbing and meeting the Seven. — Khaled smiled more nostalgically. Simpler times from the past still made him remember old friendships. — And there are supernatural laws that govern their conduct, even though it may seem that Everyn would just appear in front of me and send me back to my prison. She must obey the laws.
— But, from what you say, she doesn't seem willing to. — Liandre sat more comfortably on the cushioned bench. Although it was better than the hard dirt floor, he still wasn't completely at ease, as his large body didn't fit so well in that small space.
— And she's not. I don't know if the idea of being a just being has gone to the goddess's head, but she is far from respecting the laws older than the gods themselves. — When the topic revolved around Everyn, Khaled felt his heart pulse with rage. Normally, he wouldn't let himself get irritated by adverse situations, but when someone gets entangled in a plot with divine aspects, it becomes difficult to stay calm in all circumstances. — Listen, Liandre. What the goddess does is always done in a sneaky and hidden way. The gods also have the power to dethrone a deity. If they think that a divine aspect is harmful to the balance of the worlds, they can strip it of power and elect another being in its place. Despite everything, Tiphus, the god of War, but mainly Dareth, god of Paths and Choices, and Kylathe, goddess of Nature and the Life Cycle, would be against Everyn's actions. No one must know about her manipulations and schemes. I believe only Farandhur might suspect something.
— Wouldn't they notice the changes? — Liandre had to catch his breath after so much information, especially because he couldn't imagine how deep and above his power level that dialogue seemed to be. Extremely powerful people, even invited to the abode of the Seven, blessed with knowledge, prizes, and honors for saving the natural world. Wasn't it just a bard's tale? Fantastic legends you only stop believing as the story unfolds? And yet, he simply listened incredulously to every word. Khaled spoke as if it were a casual conversation, not one of great honor and glory. Although, he imagined, given the elf's history, how much he had been affected by being involved in the machinations of a goddess who didn't obey limits.
— Have you ever heard that gods are aspects of feelings, nature, and our relationship as mortals with the world? Aspects of war, nature, choices, the sense of justice, death, magic. If one day we manage to end war and conflict, Tiphus will fall, and a new aspect will ascend in his place. There's a regulation, an idea behind this; the gods don't observe our daily lives unless there is an absurd interference in their aspect. Like a war between countries, as must have been the case with the establishment of the Republic. At that moment, the deity's eyes turn toward what makes them who they are. But Everyn is watching at all times, even if she is an old and blind woman.
The mercenary didn't know what to say. It seemed like a complex plot orchestrated by someone deceiving an entire pantheon. Could it be that Everyn felt threatened by Khaled? Thinking more deeply, if Khaled ascended, what kind of god would he be? Someone would have to fall, right? So shouldn't the one irritated by the mage's interference be Farandhur himself?
— Why does Everyn have so much resistance if the one who should feel threatened is the god of Magic?
— No, Liandre. Something that neither you nor Farandhur understood: my goal wasn't to take the position of arcane deity but to occupy an eighth position, breaking the ancient law and ascending as a patron of knowledge and ambition. — It sounded arrogant and conceited, but Khaled had reached a level that no other mortal had managed at that time.
— And Everyn felt threatened by you breaking the laws when she herself broke them? — The mercenary scratched the back of his neck in confusion.
Khaled gave a genuine laugh because, yes, it was that simple to understand. Liandre grasped it so well in one conversation, while his old companions, blinded by faith, couldn't break free from the chains of fanaticism. How could someone want to preserve the law of ancient times when they didn't obey it themselves? For the greater good? What did the greater good mean? He never agreed with Morvath; he had always been a creature of extreme power but chaotic, exuding pure insanity. Yet, he couldn't deny that it was through Morvath's attempt at ascension that he thought it might be possible. There were already people worshipping him, seeking his knowledge and admiring him for it; little by little, he could become a divine aspect. He just needed more time, just needed the magic of ascension — forbidden, secret, written in a time when the gods didn't exist as they are known.
— Exactly, Liandre. The goddess is a hypocrite.
It was logical that gods like Thar'Mog — God of Fire and Destruction — didn't seem like someone of good character, but the idea of the supernatural being out of reach now seemed so trivial after the mage's explanation, that Liandre reconsidered his own circumstances in that world. Praying to the gods for relief had never worked, and for that reason, he had been losing his faith.
— And what would you do as a deity? How would that improve people's lives? — The question arose precisely from Khaled's desire to do things differently for people. But, if he would be governed by the old laws, why ascend instead of staying on earth doing good with his magnificent power?
— Change the ancient laws. — It seemed like something Khaled would say as if it were possible. And, judging by his gaze, the elf realized that the impossibility passed like a shadow through his simplistic mind. — At the beginning of our conversation, I made it clear that the gods were once mortals, didn't I? There are still elves who witnessed those times. Elves are immortal beings who rest when they wish, and many do so at different times. So, it wouldn't be absurd to say that at some point there were ancestors who saw the birth of the gods. It's an ancient story among our people, in fact, passed down by the elders and preserved in our millennial knowledge, studied several times. So, our relationship with the gods and with knowledge is deeper than that of any other race. Even the dwarves, who live longer than any other people after us, have a limit. Between five hundred and eight hundred years.
Liandre knew there was a rite of passage for elves who wished to finally sleep after a long life. They said that the Goddess herself would come for their souls and guide them toward the Underworld, across the Sea of Eternity. He didn't know the rites deeply but had heard about the eternal sleep.
— I want to change them. To interfere in the lives of those who have nothing, whose misery can't be undone simply. What if a merciful god could grant a gift to the people? If they could heal wounds directly? Help the less fortunate? Why couldn't it be that way? — Khaled knew that his desire seemed difficult to achieve, but not impossible. If there had been a time without divine laws, that time could be restored.
— Have you ever thought that maybe there's a reason for those laws to exist? I mean, of course, not all laws are good. And many changed after the Republic. Death penalties and torture were revoked, for example. But what if someone with bad intentions could have that same flexibility? You are someone good who values justice. But if Everyn could interfere however she wanted? Wouldn't she have killed you and stopped your plans at the first opportunity? Or even Thar'Mog, by his chaotic nature, wouldn't he have tried to destroy the world? What would be the limit of that? — Liandre was genuinely worried about his intentions; at the same time, having gods who truly cared about people and looked after humanity seemed like something so incredible.
— You're right, for the rules to be different, there need to be different beings ruling, right? — Khaled smiled so beautifully that Liandre believed it might be possible to simply replace the current pantheon of gods. — My idea was never to keep those who were in that den of corruption and hypocrisy, especially the leader of the pantheon.
He could feel his breath catch for a few moments. Khaled had such absurd ideas, but at the same time, the conversation they were having made him want to believe in all his pretensions, even if he didn't know whether they were right or wrong. He didn't know whether it was because of the bond; still, he found the way he exposed such notions more believable. He exhaled without realizing he had been holding his breath.
— What's the plan? Recovering the fragments is the priority, right? — Liandre didn't know to what extent they would stay together.
— The plan, my dear, is simple. Get closer politically to the current State, become a hero once again. First of all, find my grimoire, which is in the capital. Without my spellbook, I don't have access to most of my accomplishments as a mage. So, it's the most important thing right now. — Khaled had left behind a backup grimoire, although he hadn't imagined his spellbook would be destroyed. A complete waste. — And, finally, we'll go to the tomb where Morvath, where the World Destroyer, is sealed.
— What?