They reached the center of the mountain, an altar set upon a flat rock floor from which three obsidian walls rose. Each wall depicted ancient carvings depicting the history of Ardelym, from Illym's first beastly creations, to the first opening of the God Gate and the men and beasts who passed through it. Each Zar marked a jump in Ardelym's history and technological achievements. The former Zar brought the great warrior Corellas, along with books and medicines, all items used to advance Ardelyms civilization. And now the God Gate would open once again, bringing fresh gifts from the Blue Planet.
What these were, only Illym knew.
Again, the mountain shook, raining down pebbles from the cavern’s walls and ceiling.
"What's happening?" the Queen asked. Trembling, she handed off little Corellas to Tylla.
Genya Wol's gray eyes sparkled. "The God Gate is opening!" She pointed a slim, white finger toward the center wall, demarcated with two polished gold columns, carved with ancient Illymium symbols. The space between the columns, black as ebony, began to subtly shift until a white ball of light appeared and began to spiral.
The sphere opened from the center, starting with a small aperture and then growing until the sphere exposed a world like Ardelym, but richer, with emerald green grass and cool blue pools with cascading waterfalls surrounded by acres of flowers and tall trees.
The royal family stood dumbstruck as a white horse jumped from the sphere into the cave. It whinnied, hoofs beating the rock ground in a panic. Another white horse followed, harnessed to a gold, driverless chariot with reins dragging. Two more beasts entered: an ox and a sheep.
Hyperia stood staring at the gaping hole that opened to a fresh new world.
"Is that it?" She turned to Genya Wol with a contemptuous laugh. "A few animals. Where are the great men and women? Where are the gods?"
I am here. The only God.
A voice resounded through the cave with bass notes so low, the very mountain shook.
"Illym," Hyperia whispered.
Yes. It is I who alone know of your deception, Hyperia Davadas.
"What deception?" Dolceto Davadas demanded.
Silence, fool! came Illym's strong retort.
Dolceto backed away from the altar, partially disappearing into the shadows. His eyes darted about the cave in search of an escape route.
Suddenly what appeared to be a great bat flew through the cave. With purple wings flapping, it circled above the group.
"It's Raki!" Tylla shouted.
There was a bright light, a puff of lavender smoke, and suddenly Starlex, Bonn, and Rigel appeared, standing side by side in torn, desert-bleach rags.
"Behold the fulfillment of my prophecy," Illym's voice thundered. "Starlex Illymium, carrying the Skaard Warrior's child. It is their child that will rule Ardelym to a great future."
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"No!" Hyperia screamed. "It is my child, Corellas!" The queen ran to Tylla to wrench the baby from her arms.
Tylla pulled away. "No, mother! You won't hurt me with your lies anymore, nor this child!"
Tylla turned and bolted from the altar space, clutching Corellas.
"Dolceto!” Hyperia screeched. “Kill that little fool and bring me back my son!"
Dolceto lumbered after Tylla, his large hand combing through her streaming hair as she fled up the stone stairs. He pursued her, panting.
When he reached the top step, he slipped and fell backward. With a rasping cry, he tumbled down the slippery steps. His head struck a rock and cracked open. Blood spilled onto the cold stones.
Hyperia walked over to where Dolceto Davadas' body lay, hoping he would come back to life to fight her battle for her. When she realized he was indeed dead, she whipped back her slippered foot and kicked him on the side of his bashed-in skull.
"All men are useless fools!"
She shifted her violet gaze, hard as cut glass, to Starlex. "You think you've won? I'm still the queen! I will have your head, and yours too, Rigel. You've deceived me, but you won't get away with it."
As Hyperia spat and cursed at Starlex and Rigel, slowly the God Gate aperture began to close behind her.
"I defy all of you!" Hyperia screamed. "I am an Illymium princess, chosen by Illym himself to rule this world and beyond.” She tilted her head upward. "I am a new god! Better than god, I'm--"
Raging, unhinged by madness, Hyperia lurched forward and grabbed Starlex by the shoulders. Before anyone had time to react, she hurled her sister toward the God Gate.
"Here!" Hyperia shouted into the hole opening to the other world. "Behold my sacrifice!"
"No!" Bonn shouted. He leaped forward to catch his wife as she slipped through the crack between the worlds. His arms disappeared into the vortex as he reached desperately for his love. Grunting, straining against the force that was greater than his body and will, he could not let her go. Never. His arms reached further into the cool void.
"Mate, don't!" Leiffen shouted, but it was too late. Bonn and Starlex disappeared into the portal depths. The gate closed with a hiss, and the cave reverberated with a silent vacuum.
"So be it," Genya Wol said and bowed her head.
* * *
Tylla ran from the Black Mountain into the storm. Securing Corellas under one arm, she quickly mounted one of the horses in the caravan and dug in her heels. The Lex Ararax stood at attention as she flew through the citadel gate, but none made a move to stop her. With the baby in her lap, she clutched at the reins with her free hand. She was soon galloping across the swampland.
"Carmelle!" she screamed at the bent figures in the field.
One pale face popped up among the dour sisters.
"Tylla!"
Carmelle threw down her hoe and ran toward the galloping horse. Tylla pulled up sharply on the reins. The horse reared and came to a sudden halt. Carmelle jumped on the horse's back, clutched Tylla tightly around the waist, and together they rode out of the Weir with the storm at their backs.
* * *
The queen pulled her stiletto from the belt of her gown and used it to cut Genya Wol's throat. As the woman lay dying at her feet, she looked around for the last two witnesses to the truth. But Leiffen and Rigel had already retreated from the Black Mountain. Riding together on the white warhorse, they fled the Weir, dodging the arrows raining down from the citadel wall, and headed south for Mynimium. There they would meet up with Tylla and Carmelle, where the four of them would form an alliance against the queen.
Hyperia returned to Oran alone. She called her henchmen to what was now her War Chamber and made an official declaration of war against Mynimium. In a surprising move, she sent a message by raven to Nargos Nazeer, requesting his immediate counsel.
Together we will fight for my home city, she wrote, and when we are the victor, I will give your half of its environs and our city-states will join as one powerful entity against tyranny.
Nargos Nazeer happily agreed, and set out at once for Oran.
* * *
The God Gate would not open for another Zar and not even Flenn, whose essence now lit up the night's sky as an Illymatar, knew the fate of the lovers Bonn and Starlex after they disappeared into another world. But Flennillym trusted in Illym's prophecy, knowing that eventually, it would be fulfilled.
THE END OF BOOK ONE