Chapter 14
YE GODS!
Devon awoke somewhere unfamiliar. Clouds billowed around a well-worn rectangular stone plinth, upon which he stood, on every side of the platform steps led infinitely downwards. Ornately sculpted marble pillars surrounded the platform, and a flat stone roof sat on top of the structure. Carvings and runes covered every surface. The décor left him feeling chilly, although he felt no sensation of temperature.
In the middle of the rectangle stood four identical stone thrones that faced him in a semicircle. The seats looked poorly made and uncomfortable, but the occupants were far from ordinary. Sitting on the mid-left throne was a mature-looking lady surrounded by a silver shimmer that seemed to flow away from her edges like mist. She wore silver robes that sparkled whenever she made the tiniest movement. Her face was that of a goddess with severe lines that made her seem strict yet just. It was her long, gently curled, silver hair and glowing golden eyes that were the shock.
The lady sitting on the mid-right was smiling seductively at him. She was one of the most alluring women he had ever seen. She was tall, voluptuous to the point of obscenity, and had a perfect heart-shaped face. The most striking part was that she was green all over. She wore leaves that kept her modesty but only just. She had lustrous, dark-green hair that flowed in ringlets down to her curved rear. On her head, she wore a crown of flowers.
The details of the man on the far-right throne weren’t apparent because he was made entirely out of shadows. He was on the large side of a humanoid form, and the only parts of him that weren’t shadow were his eyes. They shone with the piercing orange glow of the setting sun. Devon looked more closely and noticed that the form was smiling.
On the far-left throne was a young goddess who was overdoing the virginal look somewhat. Her eyes shone with pure white light. Her dress was pure white and diaphanous. Her hair was pure white and reached down like a plush curtain to the backs of her knees. She was barefoot and wore a pearl tiara. She looked as if her adolescence was a recent memory.
“Ah, finally! Our Reaper returns,” the silver lady said.
“I’m sorry I don’t have all my memories back yet. Do you know me?” It was so frustrating when he could see some of his memories, yet others remained stubbornly out of focus. It was as if something was preventing him from seeing them.
“We do indeed know you,” the lady said. “The whole Pantheon knows who you are. You caused quite a stir when you disappeared and again now that you have reappeared. Your father has broken all precedent and authorised us to form this consortium to mentor you. Now that you have told me that you lost your memories, I understand why he was concerned. A divine entity with your power and without the memories you require is a dangerous thing indeed.”
“I don’t mean to be rude, but I still don’t know your name, miss.”
“Miss! You are utterly adorable. I always did like you. Forgive my rudeness; I am Fate, the goddess of destiny. To my right is Missy, the goddess of nature, and far-right is Shalim, the god of twilight and shadow. The young lady on my left is Theia, the goddess of light.”
“Uh, Missy? An interesting name for a goddess, may I say,” Devon said. His brow furrowed, and he gave Missy a sideways glance. He felt a faint feeling of familiarity when he looked at her.
Fate grinned. “Missy is not your average goddess. She has always been a fan of yours, though; and you have always been fond of her dryads.”
Missy smirked and gave him a knowing nod.
“Our colleague of the shadows is keen to champion your cause and is an old friend of yours,” Fate continued. “He is the ultimate authority when it comes to shadow powers. The same powers your Reaper skills utilise. Mistress Theia was very keen to meet you as she joined us after you disappeared. She is interested in a power bonding with your Wayfarer talents as she is of the light.”
“I sincerely apologise,” Devon said with a bow. “I had no idea I was in such esteemed company.” Devon imagined four silver cushions and a pair of white slippers as an experiment. Sure enough, they appeared in his hands. It pleased him that he still possessed his divine skills. He stepped forward and handed them a pillow each, then gave the slippers to Theia. “Those seats look very hard. As you are here for my benefit, I would hate for you to be uncomfortable. Mistress Theia, I would feel personally responsible if your feet became cold on this stone.”
Theia beamed and clapped her hands excitedly. “You said he was adorable, Missy, but this is just too much. I love him already,” she said in quite a childish voice.
“Oh, he’s just too cute. Just like he always was. Not many gods have such lovely manners. We have missed you, Wayfarer,” Missy enthused.
“We, being the Pantheon?”
“Yes, dear,” Fate replied. “I’m afraid we’ve become a bunch of old fuddy-duddies during your absence. The fun disappeared when you did. People don’t believe in us anymore, and so our might fades with each passing millennium. We are hoping you will liven things up again. Just as you used to.”
“I have a few plans that are certain to do just that. Earth realm has its magic back, and the resurgence of the faie is next on my list,” Devon responded.
“Perfect! The fun begins. To business then,” Fate said, her face a picture of anticipation. “We have promised your father to mentor you from now on. He has an extensive list of jobs he wishes us to pay you to do. To assist you, we are authorised to reopen your realm and use some of our resources where required. If you agree to resume your duties as our Reaper, then Shalim here will help you with that faulty memory of yours. Would that offer be acceptable?”
“Yes, of course. I would like to know how that arrangement would work, though. The knowledge of my roles is blurred in my mind.”
“Yes,” Fate sighed at shook her head. “At this point, I could be naughty and lie about that, but you’d know, wouldn’t you, Wayfarer?”
“I would.” Devon couldn’t be sure of his words, but if Fate said he would know, he wouldn’t argue with her.
“It’s all straightforward. In the Pantheon, material wealth has no value to us. Instead, we trade using favours. Your little box on wheels uses points for currency, so we can offer you favours or the points equivalent, whichever works for you. In return, you bring us back the souls of those that have committed crimes against the Pantheon. Your housekeeper has been upgraded and can now administer the whole thing,” Missy explained.
“We have dull lives, and you will be a tonic for all of us, I’m sure. We are your mentors now. Our relationship will be slightly more, shall we say, mutually beneficial,” Fate added.
Devon grinned. “That does sound fun. The fairy queen is already on my list. How much for her, and how do I deliver your prize?”
“We will pay extremely well for the queen’s soul. Shall we say a favour each or twelve thousand points for your little box? As for delivery, you’re the Wayfarer; use a portal.”
Devon blushed. “Of course. I wish I could remember these things.”
Shalim stood up and walked over to Devon. While his form was an ordinary shape for a humanoid, Devon could see right through him. He was twilight, anthropomorphised. When he reached him, Shalim placed a shadowy hand on Devon’s forehead.
Devon took a deep breath just before his mind seemed to explode. He scrabbled at the air, baffled by his very existence, as large chunks of magic shattered from his mind, followed by more agony as his brain pieced itself back together. Mangled memories floated through his consciousness as they warped and reformed. His thoughts solidified, as did his identity. And then there were his memories. He grinned at the feeling of completeness that settled into him.
Shalim gave him a wide, shadowy smile and returned Devon’s bow.
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Devon could now remember that, before the curse, his usual form had always been a shadow-pumine – a manifestation of pure shadow energy with magically enhanced teeth and claws. The pumine were were-cats, which were a proud humanoid race that had originated from pumas. No mortal would ever have realised that though; they always saw him as they imagined he should be, unless he chose otherwise. It was the same for all deities and a closely guarded secret among the Pantheon. People imagined what a god should look like and would always see gods or goddesses in that form unless the deity chose otherwise.
“We have passed the Pantheon’s list of soul bounties to your housekeeper,” Fate continued. “She can pay bounties in points, or you can accumulate favours. She can keep the book on our behalf.”
He looked at Fate and nodded.
Then the introspection started. All Devon’s old memories were there now. There was still nothing from his centuries on Earth realm, his wilderness years as Izzy now called them, but he now knew who he had been. Reaper, Wayfarer, Traveller, Death, Lord of Souls, so many different names, used by every species imaginable, yet in his heart, he was now Devon, and that was who he wanted to remain.
Devon sent Brack warm thoughts of gratitude. Apart from Jet, Brack was the only creature that would still be there with him when the realms ended. Even the deities would fade away in the end. Already, Devon realised that his ability to remember his past meant that the heartaches came back to him along with everything else. With them came an understanding of why he’d travelled all the time and shunned attachments, both physical and emotional. Yet now, history was repeating itself. Now he was wrapping himself up in emotional attachments that could only ever end with loss and yet more heartache. Should he close himself away and reject everyone again, or should he enjoy it while it lasted and try and steel himself against the inevitable? Neither choice sat well with him.
His thoughts veered away to somewhere less uncomfortable and landed on the Pantheon. Before everything had gone wrong, most of them had been his friends. They’d always engaged in bartering, information trading, some harmless banter, and maybe a little quaffing and divine karaoke now and then. The gods and goddesses could only manifest in their ethereal form outside of their domain. Although, he remembered that Fate could become slightly more corporeal for a short time if she expended a lot of energy. He still wasn’t sure how she managed that.
As the Wayfarer, Devon was the only one capable of travelling throughout the realms. He was the progenitor’s son, older and more powerful than the lesser deities of the Pantheon. That was why the gods and goddesses had often asked him to collect soul debts on their behalf. After centuries they ended up creating his Reaper role, thus making it official. Mortals who had wronged a god or goddess would forfeit their lives, and Devon would get paid to collect their soul. It was a mutually beneficial arrangement that suited him because, being an eternal entity, he needed the distractions. Besides, it paid well. He searched his mind for the mental tab he kept for each deity. When he found it, he couldn’t stifle his grin.
He went back to what Fate had said. “Please call her Abi. ‘Housekeeper’ is so derogatory, don’t you think? You’ll give her a complex. Although now I have my memory back, I recall that all of you are in debt to me for my previous services except for mistress Theia.” Devon replied, leaving his smile in place. “I think it would be best to discuss what you can do for me in exchange for all this work you have for me. Very soon, I will have thousands of refugees who will need our support. I trust you will do your best to help me help them?”
Fate laughed loudly. “Ah hah! He is back. You always were canny, young Reaper.”
Devon ignored the remark. He had never understood why she insisted on calling him young when he was older than all of them. Devon continued to press his point. “All the liberated creatures would be potential followers. All grateful to you for your beneficent support. All in exchange for a little effort from you at the beginning. You are authorised to use your resources, so I have an excellent use for them. If you want your Reaper back, you have me, but this time there is other work to do, lives to be saved, and you will help me do it. Agreed?”
The god and the three goddesses looked shocked, not used to this approach from him. Once they started to consider his words and what they stood to gain, they all agreed eagerly. For a deity, followers meant power and the influence power brings. Theirs had dwindled over the centuries, and they had suffered in its absence. It appeared that an enforced sabbatical had done their Reaper good.
“Considering your words, I have an offer for you, Wayfarer,” Missy said. “If you take my whining daughter off my hands, I will be extremely grateful. Combine that gratitude with my assistance for your new colony and the debts I already owe you and let this be my contribution. I will offer five thousand moon-willow seeds and as many species of flora and fauna as you would need to get your delightful, little forest on Earth realm up to the standards of the one we created in your realm. In exchange, my slate is clean, and you pair bond Aria – anything to stop her moaning at me about how lonely she is. Since you disappeared, that blasted girl has done nothing but mope around with her sisters, fantasising about your return. She adores you, and you can bet your tasty behind that she will be waiting with anticipation by the waygate as soon as you reopen it. Consider this an arranged marriage. I’ll even throw in a troop of her sister dryads to tend the forest and grow your settlement. They wanted to go to you anyway as you’ve championed them for centuries, but this way, I get shot of Aria. Please, Wayfarer, she drives me crazy, and I want my solitude back.”
Devon smiled. He remembered Aria only too well now. She was a pacifist, yet the best shot with a bow that he had ever known. It was Aria that had taught him how to shoot with such esteem. “While that sounds fair, I think the scales tip toward you, Missy. You are the goddess of nature, and increasing your presence on Earth realm benefits you, too. If you add the best bow enchantment you can create for my new weapon, once I get around to making it, then we can wipe the slate clean. Agreed?”
Missy huffed but nodded anyway. “Fine! My daughters will meet you on the Triana side of the gate three days from now with the seeds and as many animals as they can lure. I’ll send the rest through the gate as soon as I can after that.”
Devon nodded and turned his gaze on Shalim.
He was smiling as he said it.
Devon spluttered, fighting to keep his face impassive.
the god of twilight replied.
<—The price of eight favours is ridiculous, and from a friend too, I should feel insulted that you asked so much. Zeus is a fellow collector of demon souls, and he always paid more generously than you. Should I offer future trophies to him?>
Devon grinned. He liked this part of any deal. His position as their senior gave him a slightly unfair advantage.
It was Shalim’s turn to huff, but he yielded the battle and accepted the price. He swiftly crossed the floor and placed his shadowy hand on Devon’s forehead. Devon felt the changes rush into his mind and the painful spikes that attacked his brain and eyes for a few moments. When he could see again, Shalim had retaken his seat.
He grinned at Fate.
“I know what you want and how much I owe,” Fate said, her voice sounded friendly but a little weary. The glow of her golden eyes flared briefly. “You look at me hungrily like a wolf, and yet, to me, you will always be my little lamb. As I promised your father that I would assist you, I will agree, partially, and grant you a limited version of my power of anticipation, but my debt of seven favours is my price and don’t try and reduce it. I know the outcome already.”
Devon always thought it unfair that Fate could pre-empt any negotiation by knowing how it ends in advance, or maybe that was a bluff? She never lost, either way.
“Agreed. You drive a hard bargain,” Devon conceded.
Before he had finished speaking, Fate was in front of him with her hands covering his eyes. He remained motionless as warmth and golden light flowed into his mind through his retinas. The sensation of his mind being warped as his perception skills were remoulded and enhanced was beyond strange. Understanding twisted and writhed until finally, it ended.
“Wow! That was intense. Thank you, Fate,” He said. His thoughts were a little dazed and confused, but everything was rapidly returning to a new normal.
Fate nodded and retook her seat, which left Theia.
“I wish us to merge our powers, Wayfarer. Your justice magic combined with the light of mine would make a formidable power. However, I will discuss that with your high priestess when the time is more appropriate. For now, I shall observe.”
Devon gave Theia a slight bow. “As you wish. I agree with the merging but feel that your observation is just delaying your assistance. It would be a shame to remove you from this new group when we could become such good friends and both benefit from your support. I will discuss it with my priestess. Don’t delay for too long, though.”
Theia looked surprised by his poorly veiled threat but stayed silent.
“There; deals made; prices agreed,” Fate said. “Goodbye, Reaper. Thank you for coming back to us. It’s been too long,” she added with new happiness in her tone.
“Yes, it certainly has,” Devon replied.
The dragon gave him the magical pattern for the portal spell, which he loaded into the spell crystal embedded in his forehead. He sent mana through the crystal and directed it to a point just in front of him. When the swirling black disc appeared, he stepped through, straight back into the Hub on Haven.