Solis was still asleep as Cyn carried him in his arms through Ruewreath and straight to the healer. It really is so convenient, already having this wealth of knowledge of all living beings, Cyndras thought quietly, looking down at the face of his sleeping beloved.
When they arrived at the gates, the god of medicine ushered them in with a stupefied expression on his face, only mollified the moment he caught sight of Solis. Cyndras was aware that they would need a safe place to recover from their rebirths before taking on the first order of business, and subsequent revenge. Cyn could be patient. He could be patient and calculating when it came to his lover.
“I… cannot believe this!” Prentis blinked, astonished as he ran his hands above Solis’ body to feel for spiritual wounds.
Cyndras knew he would find none.
The healer’s gaze flew to him and he immediately demanded-
“You! What did you- how did you do this?! The block in his mind was flawless, it couldn’t be removed!”
Cyn crossed his arms over his chest, which was draped in a cloak procured by the Chorus on the island. Solis was wearing a similar garment.
“You must not have heard.” He said, mostly bored. Cyn wished Solis would wake up soon. They needed to get the tearful reunion out of the way…
“God of life and death,” he watched the other man raise an eyebrow. “At your service.”
Prentis was evidently speechless, but then there was a distinct inhale of breath from the table, and Solis shot up with a gasp and several flailing limbs.
“What happened-”
Prentis was clearly going to offer an explanation, but smartly moved away when he saw Cyndras’ eyes on the god of stars. Cyn went to stand before his lover and carefully placed a hand on his shoulder. It settled something deep inside him, to feel the man so solidly alive and real. He would never allow Solis to be hurt again.
Swallowing back a sudden tightness in his throat, Cyndras waited with bated breath for the god to look at him. When those amber eyes turned, and Solis took his first look at his new form, something crystal clear and smooth like running water flickered to life between them. It was pure energy, and it was felt by both gods, as tangible as their own spiritual cores thrumming and pulsing in their veins.
Cyndras was not worried Solis wouldn’t be able to see him. He was concerned the man would still grieve his other lives, despite them all being an intrinsic part of him, but that could come later. For now…
“...it’s you-”
There was a hiccuping cry, and then Cyndras was being pulled into Solis’ arms. As gods, it was not inexplicable for them to have enormous strength, enough to crush boulders and break chains. Despite not wanting to hurt him, Cyndras crushed Solis against his chest, holding on and tightening his hands around the other’s back as if this single hug could seal them together for the rest of time. And with any luck, it would.
“My love,” Cyn said softly, stroking the other’s hair. “Do not cry. I am here.”
In the quiet room, Solis sobbed into his chest, shaking hands roaming all over as if making sure he was real. When Solis pulled away first, to reach up and touch Cyn’s face; his neck, his hair, and then the lines of his jaw and softly curved cheeks, all while gazing at everything he touched like it was a language finally coming back to him, Cyndras couldn’t take it anymore and bent to press a kiss to that stunned face.
There had been so many kisses shared between the two of them, in so many lives, but this single, seconds-long one was the most pure and delicate of them all. Cyndras felt his power surge upon contact, and then an answering little pull, like Solis’ energy was greeting him for the first time.
When Cyn pulled back, he first heard a gentle gasp, and then got to see the lost expression on Solis’ dazed and heavy-lidded face, as he swallowed thickly and murmured-
“You’re a god…”
It was less of a question, more of an observation of fact, but Cyndras still felt a little excited to hear his lover’s reaction. Yes, he thought, and I’ve been on my way to you for some time now. I just didn’t know it.
There would be time later for a full reunion; eternity, in fact, so Cyndras took Solis’ hands and softly stirred him back to life before he began asking his questions.
“The Heavenly Weapon that killed us,” Cyn said gravely. “It belongs to a god. Which one?”
Solis frowned, looking puzzled for a few moments.
“I believe I can help with that…”
All of them turned at the sound of the new arrival, and then Solis breathed out softly-
“Caishen?”
Prentis clearly wanted to make himself scarce as soon as possible, and muttered something about being back soon with tea. The god of wealth approached the bed where Solis was still sitting, and Cyndras instinctively stepped in front of the man.
“That’s close enough.”
There was a touch of surprise on Caishen’s otherwise indifferent, inexpressive face, and Cyn had a private laugh with himself as he watched the other god assess him, likely able to feel the immense power that Cyndras was born with. Lucky him, he didn’t have to meditate and cultivate his strength for years on end just to be taken seriously. His energy had been building since his soul’s first human body, and now he had centuries worth.
Caishen did regard Cyn with a level of respect. The god backed off gently and inclined his head.
“It is an honor,” he said simply. “Your presence in The Heavenly Realm is most auspicious. Unfortunately, I come for another matter, one which involves both of you.”
Cyn felt Solis tugging on his sleeve gently, but he didn’t take his eyes off the other god. Cyndras possessed many strange unique abilities, and an innate understanding of things, to a degree. He was currently looking and judging Caishen harshly for the callousness he knew resided in the man’s heart. Cyndras wanted him nowhere near his lover…
“You will explain,” Cyn ordered. “Quickly.”
Expecting Caishen to at least bristle at such a demand, Cyndras was momentarily intrigued by the other god’s small nod, and the slight hunch to his shoulders. Caishen was a very proud man. Obviously, there was something very heavy weighing on him for this show of desperation.
“It has come to my attention that a heavenly weapon has found its way into the hands of a mortal. The two of you have indeed seen it, first hand?”
Cyn manages not to flinch, but he does hear Solis gasp. When Cyndras uncovered his memories, it meant all of them, including the memories of his death in The Mortal Realm. Cyn wishes he too could forget…
“Indeed.” Cyn grits out, “What is it to you? Who is the owner?”
Caishen raises his eyes to them gravely, and speaks in a monotone voice.
“The god of war. Aeris.”
Cyn glowers. He should have known. Wasn’t all of this; the shady business with their fate, banishing Solis again and again, all Aeris’ doing in the first place?!
Already stalking out of the room, prepared to go straight to The Hand of God, Cyndras was stopped by Solis jumping up and grabbing onto his arm.
“Wait! What’s going on? I just… I don’t understand.”
They heard Caishen sigh, then the god said slowly;
“After Solis was killed by the weapon, of course, we all felt it. Then, fingers started being pointed; at Khalkeus, for allowing a mortal to wield a Heavenly Weapon, even Prentis was under suspicion for being the one who placed the block in Solis’ mind to begin with. Only I knew the truth. Before Aeris carried a crossbow, he wielded a broadsword. The same one used to end both of your lives. As I’m sure you are aware, only the god who owns a Heavenly Weapon may descend with it to The Mortal Realm. I haven’t told anyone else what I know, but no doubt Aeris is aware that I do.”
Solis let out a shaky breath, “Why are you telling us this? Don’t you, um-”
“Forget whatever you think you know about me!” Caishen snapped, “Euthos doesn’t know what the hell he’s talking about. Just come with. A hearing has been called in Killera to address the situation. I will bring this evidence to The Heavenly Court, but I wanted you both to hear it from me first.”
A grave expression crossed Caishen’s face then, and before the man swept out of the room, he hissed-
“Is it time Aeris faces all the consequences of his lies!”
When everyone arrived in Killera, Prentis included, The Heavenly Palace was already in chaos. Seraphim and Chorus members were rushing around everywhere. Today, every god was in attendance and there was so much to be done. The Heavenly Court was rarely called for a hearing, and never before had the accusations been so terrible…
Even the god of beasts was there, standing to the side, watching it all go down. Cyndras entered the palace behind Caishen and Prentis, but beside Solis. Their arrival cued the beginning of the hearing, and as they took their places on the eleventh and twelfth chairs, the absolutely silent room found all eyes on them.
Before leaving Ruewreath, Solis had been adamant that they dress more appropriately. He got the cutest blush across his nose and under his eyes when Cyn took stock of his thin attire, and stated it would be a shame to change out of it. In the end, Solis returned to his comfortable white robes with no adornments, and Cyndras decided to go for a shock factor instead. After all, how many times did one get to make a first, and hopefully terrifying impression, on the other gods?
Cyn met the flighty gazes of every attendant surrounding the round court table, his exquisitely clear blue eyes; like uncut diamonds, the only part of his face they could see behind the long silk mask.
Every single one of their gazes flickered away…
“Welcome to Killera,” Caishen said evenly. “We will begin at once. Khalkeus, you will be my first witness. Please, rise.”
The goddess stood, hands behind her back. The gods never needed to swear on anything. Their word was law. That was why finding the liars among them could be terribly… time consuming.
Caishen began succinctly.
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“Two-thousand eight-hundred years ago, did you or did you not, forge a spiritual weapon for the god of war?”
Khalkeus’ response was even…
“I did.”
“And what was that weapon?”
“A broadsword.”
Caishen continued; “Was this the only weapon you forged for the god of war?”
“No. Upon reaching a certain level of power, it is uncommon but not impossible for a god to possess two or more weapons. Aeris came to me several hundred years ago with a request for a crossbow.”
“And is it true that only the god whose spiritual energy runs through a Heavenly Weapon may carry it to The Mortal Realm?”
Khalkeus nodded, “Yes. In another’s hands, a spiritual weapon would be unable to pass through The Ether’s Gate.”
“Thank you,” Caishen said, and Khalkeus took a seat while the god of wealth continued…
“There is indisputable proof that the Heavenly Weapon which was found in the hands of a mortal and caused the deaths of both Solis, and Cyn’s previous mortal life, belonged to the god of war, Aeris. Only he could have descended with the sword. Now, I would like to call the god of love and fate as my next witness. Kulao, please stand.”
Gentle murmurs and unsure glances circled the table, as almost everyone began to understand the ramifications of what Caishen was saying…
“As the god of fate,” Caishen said. “You have access to both the fates of mortals and gods alike, do you not?”
Kulao chanced a glance across the table at Aeris, who remained impassive-looking as ever…
“Uh, yes…” Kulao shrugged, clearly nervous.
“Would you please show us the fate-line of the god of war?”
Now, even louder, more uncomfortable murmurs rippled throughout the room. Asking to view one’s own fate was the most taboo, absurd request! Caishen knew that, but didn’t look the least bit concerned. Kulao’s shifty eyes eventually found Cyn’s. The god of death stared the other down intensely, and the whole table heard Kulao’s big gulp of air as he quickly turned away.
“O-Okay,” Kulao stammered, reaching out slightly shaking hands. “For the trial…”
And with that, Kulao brought a fate-line out into the open between his palms for all to see. It was golden, swaying delicately, but full of twists and curls, even knots. From all over, thinner, or even frayed strings could be seen in contact with the center string. There was one line, almost just as thick, at the very end, effectively cutting it off.
Kulao bit his lip, looking guilty.
“For full disclosure,” he said. “This is not the first time I have shown this fate.”
The gods whispered amongst each other, and even Caishen managed to look surprised. Cyn felt Solis shift a bit in his seat beside him.
Caishen’s eyes narrowed on Kulao, and he said thinly-
“When was this?”
The god of love frowned, hesitant, but still mumbling clearly;
“Many centuries ago.”
“What were the circumstances?” Caishen said.
Kulao’s shoulders slumped slightly.
“Aeris came to me long ago, during the time Solis had tried saving Prince Cyndras’ life by tying his spirit to the… anyway. Aeris came and asked to see their fates. There was no reason to refuse, so I showed him. It just so happened that one of their fates was deeply entwined with Aeris’ own, in fact, Cyndras’ fate was, in no uncertain terms, to end the god of war’s life. Aeris… he asked… he asked me to sever the Prince’s fate-line where it intersected his, but I could not. It was a matter of life and death, I had no way of changing it. Instead, Aeris told me to sever Cyndras’ most important connection; his fate-string with Solis, in the hope that without it, the Prince’s soul would be unable to fulfill its destiny of bringing about the end of Aeris’ life. I couldn’t… say no, it was Aeris’ discretion to choose a punishment for the both of them.” Kulao was sobbing now; “I’m so sorry-”
And then, all hell broke loose.
“No! Stop, someone-”
Everyone around the table stood as Cyn shot to his feet and was halfway to Aeris when he suddenly felt Solis’ hand on his wrist, yanking him back.
“Restrain him!” Another god shouted, but the cry was for Aeris to be stopped, as the god had knocked over several chairs and seemed to be trying to flee.
Chaos erupted as Seraphs filed in, mostly Aeris’ and Caishen’s, but Solis’ Seraph, Iphis, arrived too, and wasted no time blocking the god of war’s path.
“Let go-” Cyn hissed, trying to shake Solis off, but his lover held firm, keeping him carefully out of the fray as Aeris’ Seraph surrounded the table and Caishen called loudly for order.
“Everybody, stop!” He cried, “No one moves. No one leaves, until this court is adjourned!”
The gods stood stock still, eyeing each other tensely, no one but Iphis brave enough to block Aeris’ way out. The god of war’s expression remained as impassive and neutral as ever, though he radiated a tenseness that was putting everyone on edge.
In fact, it wasn’t only him…
“Is that-?”
Several gods shuffled away from Solis and Cyn, and though he was aware that from his body, black smoke had begun to drift throughout the room, until some of the Seraphs gagged on it, Cyn was still surprised to find that this physical manifestation of his power was also unpleasant for the gods.
Cyn could feel Solis’ hand on his wrist tighten and re-adjust, as if the god of stars was finding it difficult to be so close to him. That thought, along with the certainty that Aeris would be going nowhere, made the god of death slowly retract his claws. The darkness swirling around the room settled, and everybody collectively took a deep breath.
“Aeris,” Caishen said, fixing the man with a murderous glare. “The fact that you dare upset these proceedings in an attempt to escape only goes to prove your guilt! What do you have to say for yourself?!”
Hands politely behind his back, Aeris regarded the room, but his eyes never found either Solis or Cyn. Cyndras was in the middle of fantasizing about the various ways he would kill the god as soon as he was able to get his hands on him, when Aeris spoke…
“Kulao speaks the truth, however, I would like this court to take into consideration the fact that; when this occurred, Solis was a brand new deity, in no position of power, with no significance to the grand scheme. I, on the other hand, was an old god, powerful enough to lay waste to both the mortal and heavenly realms alike if I desired. A powerless, insignificant god and his mortal Prince had no right to interfere with the future I was creating. Their fates, at the time, were small compared to my own. As gods, what is an ant hill besides a momentary hindrance?”
“As gods-!”
Everybody startled, eyes going comically wide as, to everyone’s surprise, Solis released Cyn’s hand to step forward and shout directly at the god of war, fury sparking deep in his amber eyes…
“As gods, what is a child besides the fruit of our labors?! The blood in our veins, and the ones to which we bestow all our knowledge and future? If you are truly so arrogant that you could forget this, oh god of war and peace, then I’m not ashamed to say you will be forgotten as the realms move on! Your temples- reduced to ash! You cannot bury the next generation without also damning yourself!”
“There’s… more.” Kulao sniffed, wiping his eyes.
“Oh, wonderful! What now?!”
“You seem to be full of secrets, Kulao.” Prentis narrowed his eyes, “What others have you kept from us?”
The god of love gave the room a bitter frown.
“Like any of you wouldn’t have done the same! Who here could have willingly gone against him? Honestly?! I had no choice!”
Caishen raised his hand, silencing everyone.
“Kulao, please. What is it?”
The god finally was able to dry his tears, but when he spoke, it was hushed.
“I am unsure of its relevance to Aeris’ plot, but… in Cyn’s very first mortal life, long before he was a Prince, he was born into a body both mortal and heavenly. He was Aeris’ son-”
“Preposterous!”
“How can this be?! Caishen?”
Caishen’s expression was measured, but a deep fury radiated from within. He turned to where Aeris was still being watched very carefully by Iphis and the other Seraphs, and said suspiciously calmly;
“Is this true?”
Aeris’ expression seemed quite puzzled…
“I was unaware.”
That seemed to be the truth, but Caishen immediately exploded-
“How many children have you fathered?! Just how many! And to think, all this time you have been running from your fate, which is to die by the hands of no one short of your own son! Fate is cruel, but it is not without a sense of justice!”
“What should we…” Metir muttered, “Do about this?”
“Yes, is there a way to punish him like he deserves?” Khalkeus nodded.
Prentis quickly raised a hand, “Shouldn’t we ask those he has wronged? What do Solis and Cyn suggest we do about Aeris’ transgressions?”
All eyes turned to the two of them again, and Cyn stared directly at Aeris who was looking away, as he said;
“Five minutes. Everyone leaves. I take care of him…”
A few gods muttered something under their breath and shared awkward glances, but no one wanted to speak out against the new god of death.
To Cyn’s surprise, Solis returned to him and lightly squeezed his shoulder, whispering only to him…
“We cannot,” the god of stars looked pained, but resolute, even though he was still shaking. “His power affects so much in both realms. It could be a disaster for the mortals if he were to suddenly perish.”
Cyndras longed to say; who cares, but Solis’ point was well-made and it was obvious very quickly that besides universal ramifications, no one really seemed to know how to successfully kill a god as old and as powerful as Aeris. Cyn was certain he could figure it out, but the mood of the room was set, so he resolved to stay silent. He could be patient. Well, he could try…
At last, after much deliberation, Caishen announced the verdict. The gods remained standing as it was said, witnesses to an historical act that would indeed change everything.
“Severing a fate-line for your own personal gain, and to save your own life, bestowing a heavenly weapon into the hands of a human, and causing Cyn’s death in The Mortal Realm, not to mention the centuries of torment Solis was forced to endure including unjust punishment, imprisonment, and banishment under your orders, this court sentences you to a lifetime in Vriseon Prison; a generous sentence, given your actions are more than enough to constitute a death sentence. As it stands, no one at this table wants The Mortal Realm to incur any more universal unbalance that might take place as a result of your death. With luck, someday there will be a new god of war and peace born, who will not be swayed by the same power you have wielded. Until then, I would not expect many visitors in the coming centuries.”
Aeris was sealed under the mountains that once held Solis, by the very same chains. The god went willingly, and not a single rumble spilled from the prison door as it was shut forever…
Aeris truly did not expect any visitors, so when the door that was meant to be sealed for an eternity opened again that very same night, imagine the god’s surprise. And then, imagine his terror at seeing the god of death himself walk in alone, with no Solis to remind of any morals, and no one else to hold him back.
The god of war was not often frightened, nor did he blanch at gore and death. Yet, faced with his own, quite literally staring him in the face as it walked closer, Aeris indeed paled, his eyes going wide and his breath freezing sharply in his lungs.
“Before you kill me,” he said, flinching at his own words in the silent cave.
“I wanted you to know that I truly had no idea you were my son.”
Behind that silk mask it was unclear, but Aeris thought he saw the god of death smile…
“Would it have mattered? Knowing?”
“...perhaps.”
Then Aeris watched as Cyn sighed, moving to take something from his belt. It was a beautiful curved sickle, with a transparent, glass-like blade with a blue diamond set in the handle made of ivory. It had a cold sort of energy, but elegant; unsettling, like a beautiful corpse. The god of death turned it over and stared, transfixed and obviously proud of his weapon.
“I had Khalkeus make it this afternoon. Nice, right? A good tool for the work I am about to take on. A shame I haven’t had a chance to see how it swings yet…”
Aeris holds his breath as the god of death circles him and speaks-
“I did have many ideas… a cut for every year you stole from Solis and I? Or, perhaps one for every life I have lived? We could certainly be here for a while. But, then I realized something. It’s odd, I’m still discovering so much about my power… did you know that a single touch from a weapon forged with the god of death’s soul, and you perish almost instantly? I don’t even have to draw blood. Clean, and efficient. I’m starting to see the benefits to this thing called fate. There will be no red, glorious death for you. Nothing that could draw any sympathy from the universe. It will be cold, and fast, and over. Insignificant. That must drive you mad… the god of war, so powerful. Reduced to an ant hill under my boot.” Cyndras grinned, “I won’t even stop you if you want to beg.”
He waited for Aeris to speak, but the man did not, only lowered his eyes and held his breath again, waiting for the end. Cyn raised his weapon, holding it above the god’s face. Cyn’s reflection glinted on one side of the blade, and Aeris’ the other…
Justice, Cyn thought, as he lowered that fine curve onto the god’s skin. The weapon chilled in his hand as it made contact, and he could hear Aeris’ skin sizzle, though no mark was made.
The god of war’s eyes widened and he gasped. For a second, there was only emptiness in his cold, frozen gaze, and then he seemed to find some last tether to his consciousness, managing to wheeze out the words;
“So strange… when I looked… you were not… my son-”
And then Cyn felt his soul vanish from the body. Aeris slumped over, his head lolling back as the chains pulled taught on his wrists. Cyn returned his weapon to his belt and did not bother to seal up the prison when he left. If others wanted to come and witness what had become of the great god of war, they were more than welcome to.
Cyndras would even smile and wave.