“There’s a large flaw in your plan though,” Aiden said, crossing his arms and staring at Kyriall. “Even if the souls in Halla and Valhalla are terrible people, they’re still the souls of people. They aren’t monsters.”
“What is the point you make?”
“I don’t like it.” Aiden felt moronic thinking of the types of people he was likely defending right now, but the idea of letting Blizzy eat humans didn’t sit well with him. “On top of that, there’s no realm in which Xenith lets us take away the Authority without fighting us herself.” His party members and available allies came to mind. “Nobody on my side is even remotely strong enough to face Xenith and win.”
“It takes a wise man to acknowledge their weaknesses. To fight Xenith would be insurmountable, as if you chose to directly challenge me. An effort in absolute frivolity and futility.”
“I hear a ‘but’ coming.”
“There are none.” Again, Kyriall shrugged, wistfully waving as if completely unconcerned. “How you will overcome Xenith isn’t my problem. As for how to encourage growth for Kinnai, these people—if they can still be called that—are worse than monsters. The problem of morality that plagues you is one I do not share.” Kyriall shrugged. “But eons as a vampiric creature tend to skew moralistic ideology.”
Kinnai chose now to speak up as she held her stomach, its growl long and raucous. “Hungry!”
“Whatever your method may be, you will need an energy that contends with the divine. Without it, even if you would wish to usurp Xenith and repurpose her Authority, there’s no way you could.”
“What about you? Can’t you give Blizzy—or Kinnai, rather—some of your energy? It’s the equivalent of something divine,” Aiden suggested hopefully.
“You wish I inflict vampirism upon my own daughter?” There was a deep chill that instantly pervaded the room, and Kyriall’s nonchalant demeanor shifted into one of blank aggression. He regarded Aiden as if he was a snack he’d always wished to taste, a delicacy even.
Aiden held up both hands passively, knowing he wouldn’t have a chance in hell of winning if he reached for Silver. “That’s not what I’m saying. Isn’t there a way to impart your power to her without the effect of vampirism?” Kyriall’s unchanging face was all the answer Aiden needed. “Gotcha. Big no.” He racked his brain for another option. “What about Tiamat or Laovi? Could they not offer aid?”
“They’ve done what they can. The rest is for you to determine.” The unwavering coldness didn’t dissipate, even more intense than when he’d first entered Halla. Aiden had messed up big time. “Now, let me see you out. You’ve overstayed your welcome.” He took the lead and headed back in the way they came, the same door appearing to allow them exit. “Kinnai, come, my sweet.”
“Well shit,” Aiden muttered, following behind them and exiting. “That didn’t go well.”
The entire way back to the others, only Kinnai said anything. Most of what she said was to complain about her aching stomach. Aiden could sympathize with her but didn’t know what to do now.
Kyriall offered souls for Blizzy to feast on, but Aiden didn’t like that idea. Sure, he’d slain Valkyr, but he’d always given them a proper burial. Never had he manipulated their souls or desecrated their corpses for power.
Stolen story; please report.
And he wouldn’t start.
That left him in a bind. The time it would take to hunt down the monsters spread out over Midrath in any meaningful way would take too long, and he needed Halla’s Authority if he wanted to free Khione.
There had to be another way.
Whatever it was, he would discover it. Before making any drastic choices, he’d consult with Leyla. She’d been in the world of realms and the like far longer and might know something he could make use of.
Once back to Kyriall’s chamber, the group looked properly worked up and had spread around all over the chamber, searching high and low.
When they saw Kyriall and Aiden strolling back in, Aiden heard Josh call out, “I swear I checked down that hall. There was nothing there.”
“Doesn’t matter now,” Leyla hissed, striding toward Aiden with a promise of violence in her eyes. “Where were you? I couldn’t feel your soul! We all thought Kyriall had stolen you away!”
“In that case, the fact there aren’t any bodies and the palace still remains is quite impressive,” Aiden muttered. As much as he tried to care about their concern, much weighed his mind down. There was much to do and little time. “I’m here now. All is well.”
Instead of briefing them, Aiden turned to Kyriall and received one word in response. “Begone.”
Aiden threw a peace sign over his shoulder as he turned, waved his other hand to open a portal back to Midrath, and departed. Once he passed through the viscous gate and stepped on Midrath soil once more, he let out a large breath of relief.
Like a shadow, Leyla was the second through only a second after him. Then came the rest in one disgruntled group. A distinct lack of a large dragon made him nervous, so he turned to look.
Kinnai clung to Kyriall’s neck and shed tears. Kyriall looked as if he struggled to hold in his own and wiped away her’s with his thumb. Recognizing the intimate moment for what it was, Aiden turned back to face the rest of them who regarded him with various looks of concern, aggression, and inquisitiveness.
“So?” Josh broke the ice. “What’s the news?”
“Things just got a lot more complicated,” Aiden admitted with a sigh.
“You gonna share the details, or are you gonna string us along the whole way?” Adam asked, approaching with an arrogant swagger. He jabbed a finger into Aiden’s chest. “You’re doing pretty terribly at this leadership thing. Maybe it’s time you step aside and let someone else give it a go.”
“Now’s not the time,” Aiden growled and smacked away the offending hand.
“Then when, huh? You can’t keep avoiding this forever. And I’m tired of waiting.”
Aiden looked at the others. Josh looked ready to step in and was halted by Aiden, as was Leyla. He looked at Madison and her malicious grin. Even Anna looked like she was open to the idea of watching them fight, a more subdued grin as she looked at both Adam and Aiden with contempt.
Ian and Isaac looked afraid, as they should.
“Fine, but don’t say I didn’t warn you.” He gestured for the others to give them space. There was time to kill while they waited for Kinnai to finish with Kyriall. On top of that, he needed a test dummy for his newfound powers.
“Please, who are you kidding?” Adam raised his arms wide and looked at all the others. “Nobody here thinks you’ve got what it takes to lead, even if you have the power.”
“Speak for yourself,” Josh growled as he approached, violence in his gait. “I’m looking forward to you getting your ass handed to you.”
Adam met Aiden’s gaze and smirked. “Get your barking dog, will you? I’ve heard enough from the buffoon for a lifetime.”
“How about you watch your fuc—”
“Josh, please back up. I’ve got this,” Aiden interrupted. Silver was already in his hand. He’d yet to activate it with the Blizzard Discipline, but the effects were extraordinary. A miniature blizzard swirled from the tip and took the form of a sword, similar to the Ice Discipline, but Aiden could feel how easily he could control its form. It solidified under his instruction, crystallizing into a clear blade the length he was familiar with using. “Let’s see what you’ve got.”