Rokas stared into his cup within the tavern, wishing to drink the wine of the royal vineyard again. Kulat had some of the greatest winepresses in the world. And some of it was afforded only to Kings.

Not that it mattered since Taha had slashed his brother's throat. Though his brother probably deserved it more than most people.

Taha and Nendas were gone, but they may as well have been gone when he was in their company. Rokas had always been an outlier in the group, and Taha had focused more and more on Nendas. Nendas himself had grown increasingly distant of late, often pacing restlessly. Sometimes he would lie against a tree as though dead, and Rokas would wonder if he were ill. Sometimes he was cynical and bitter with hopeless eyes. Other times, he was like a mere vessel for a light that filled his body and shone through his eyes.

What they had done and what they were doing had taken a toll on Nendas more than the others though he had hidden it was.

When he spoke, people listened. It was a trait that Rokas had come to love, though he would never say it out loud. Nendas despised homosexuality, even if he did not despise Rokas. And Samrasa's example had discredited it all the more. His hatred of the one had mixed with the other. It did not seem that anyone would acknowledge who Rokas was in his life now.

Nendas would never approve. Taha would not care, but she was more loyal to Nendas than Rokas.

But, even as friends, he'd grown increasingly distant from Rokas and then Taha. And they were sent on one murderous mission after another. And all the while, Tarasif decayed as King Samrasa found a reason to remove one person or another. One of the barmaids at this place had been grabbed by troops and disappeared.

Rokas had no idea if it had been ordered or was throwing their weight around. Either way, he was convinced that he was the villain of this particular story. But he was obligated to Taha and Nendas, so all he could do was stick to his friends.

Not that it mattered.

Jaha's appearance had been unexpected, but Rokas wondered if it was her. Or had Nendas gone mad from the passing years and utilized her powers against his despised enemy? He'd become cold since the death of Ralign, most likely due to murder. However, Nendas had never admitted to anything.

Rokas found it unlikely Jaha would behave in such a fashion. Moreover, it ran contrary to all that had been spoken of by her priests.

It seemed almost inevitable they'd suffer a grisly end sooner or later like one of those men on crosses. Rokas' only hope was to be killed in battle fighting someone who ought to be an enemy. And that bitterly disturbed him.

More than anything, he wished for the days when he hadn't been an outcast in his family.

Failing that, when he'd been working with Taha as an entertainer. But his destiny, it seemed, was one of endless decay. And so he drank ever deeper.

"...Is this all we have to show for our lives?" said Rokas finally, leaning back in his seat. "Shrines to gods we change on a whim? Blood on our hands and drink to satiate our doubts?

"Nendas, at one time, drank with us."

And then Rokas heard the wind's howling and looked up, and something in the air made him sober. Standing, he rushed out of the inn. Something strange was afoot, and he meant to find out what. Running to where he knew Taha often drank, he came to the door and looked in.

"Did you hear there was a girl in here looking for Taha?" said a woman.

"Really? Why?" asked one of her responses.

"Well, she said Taha had asked her to come by finally like she'd known her for years," said the woman. "But I'd never seen her around these parts.

"She even introduced herself as Tamar."

"I've heard the Cult of Tamar sometimes sends out priestesses who answer to her name," mused one. "They shed their family bonds and dye their hair blonde."

"This girl, where did she go?" asked Rokas, approaching them.

"To Taha's usual drinking spot, I think," said the woman.

He hurried off. Rokas did not know why someone taking the name of the Bloodwind Goddess was here. But Taha had been high in her cult, and it could not be a good sign.

Rokas ran the rest of the way, and what he suspected now seemed to be coming true. He should have known that sooner or later, their actions would warrant retribution. But perhaps it was not directed at Taha but elsewhere. He might yet get Taha and Nendas and get out of this place.

All of a sudden, darkness fell over the sun. And out of a door of shadow stepped a figure that seemed almost a silhouette in a pale light. His hands were like claws of shadow, and he upraised one hand. The very presence of this thing filled Rokas with despair.

His knees shuddered at the coming of the creature. He forced himself to take a combat stance.

"This city is weighed," said the voice. "It is found wanting."

"Impus," said Rokas, struggling to stay on his feet. Others who looked at him did not see him but veered away to other streets. They knew something was there, even if they did not know they knew.

Odd.

Taha would like to discuss that, but she was gone.

All hope left him. Every dream was shattered in his mind. Every hope fell dead as the being before he loomed over the city. The people screamed in horror, fleeing or throwing their faces on the ground. Staring into the utter nothingness, Rokas felt his knees shaking, and it was all he could do to stand his ground.

Stolen novel; please report.

The God of the Void had come.

"He is," said Impus.

And across Tarasif, the lights went out in every window. All the stars were covered in a shroud of darkness that seemed but an extension of the creature.

"I must face him if only to slow his attack. Nothing ever good comes from Impus being present," thought Rokas. So he walked toward the coming void.

He had no idea what he would say here. Nor did he know what he could do or if it made a difference. But he stood his ground and formed into a stance as Impus' hand reached forward. "Hold where you are. Whether you be God or man, you shall not harm those within this city while I draw breath!"

Impus was suddenly before him, and Rokas' body froze in place. "Who are you?" asked Impus.

"I am Rokas, companion of Nendas and Taha," said Rokas, feeling he ought to cite them first. Or should he cite his status as a Prince?

"They are broken," said Impus. "They are irrelevant."

"Why are you consuming us? What sin have the people here committed?" asked Rokas.

"The divine has been withdrawn," said Impus. "Now, the price of sin must be paid."

"But did you also not allow such sacrilege to be committed? What warnings have you sent?" asked Rokas.

"What warnings have you heeded," said Impus. "Atrocities have consequences.

"You would not believe your spirit. Why would you believe warnings?"

"Not all within this city took part in such atrocities," said Rokas.

"I knew of them. All chose to do nothing," said Impus. "Thus, all are guilty. I am here to claim them."

Rokas was colder now than ever, and his body was going number. "I ask that you pardon us, Lord Impus."

"The time for pardon has passed," said Impus. "I will claim those condemned."

Then Jaha had turned on them. "And who is guilty?"

"All are guilty," said Impus.

"But they feared for their lives," said Rokas, feeling like he would die instantly. "I was among those.

"If you must take the life of someone, then take my life as a willing sacrifice. And if my sacrifice does not satiate you, seek those whose guilt is impossible to deny."

"Who else?" asked Impus.

Rokas shuddered. "I have two companions, Taha, and Nendas, who I believe would sacrifice to save this land. They are strong, and I believe they would understand the need."

"You would pay the price for their sins..." said Impus, and Rokas felt him examining his soul. "You are unworthy."

"Perhaps, but I shall offer myself to you nonetheless, that I might save who I can," said Rokas. What was he doing? But then, what else could he do?

"They are gone," said Impus. "The one called Nendas has been taken from this land by Jaha. Taha is gone with the wind. They cannot offer themselves."

Rokas had to stall. "Then allow me time to rescue them, Lord Impus. Spare these people until my quest is complete."

Impus paused. "Thirty days before all in this realm suffer my wrath. But you shall not pass the doors to the divine realm without an immortal to aid you. And I shall provide no such help nor guide you to it."

"I see," said Rokas. "Even so, thank you for this opportunity to save my realm."

Impus ignored him and rose into the sky. "Make your peace. I shall claim you all."

Then the darkness passed, and a pale and unforgiving light descended on the city. Rokas fell to one knee, gasping. "...What am I thinking?

"Even if I could get Nendas and Taha back, they would never submit. Taha does not even believe in the gods, and Nendas is heartless now. But, I must make an attempt.

"I gave my word, after all.

"But where can even find the gates of the Divine, let alone..."

"Help may be nearer at hand than you think," said a voice to his side.

Rokas turned and saw a man with snow-white hair and skin in the street. He wore armor that glowed with an unworldly light. "You...

"Who are you?"

"I am Elranor, whom you persecute," said Elranor. "You had best follow me."

"You wish for me to follow you. Where?" asked Rokas.

"To the gates of the Divine Plane, of course," said Elranor. "You want to save your friends, do you not, and then convince them to sacrifice themselves?"

"I, I do. Though only if it is their choice," said Rokas.

"Then I shall lead you there," said Elranor.

"But why are you helping me?" asked Rokas. It didn't make sense.

"Nendas has gone mad," said Elranor. "The conflicting nature of the divine within him broke him. He came to a point where he was unwilling to take his ambitions to their logical endpoint. For all his brutality and scorn, he could not bring himself to kill his innocent cousin."

"I was not aware he had planned such a thing?" said Rokas.

"It was hardly planned," said Elranor. "Nor was it done.

"But I think that he could be a good man someday if he is given a chance. And you were always respectful.

"One good turn deserves another, and so I have chosen to help you in your quest."

"Then you have my thanks," said Rokas. "Though I expect it shall have a bitter end whatever the outcome."

"That is a trap of your own making, not mine," said Elranor.

"I know," said Rokas.

And so their journey began. However, Elranor had not really answered the question. And whatever happened, it seemed this would all have a terrible end indeed.