Cassian flinched, jerking his head away in terror. A blur of smoke shot across the room, blocking the incoming dagger. The weapon fell harmlessly onto the floor; its metallic clatter echoed unpleasantly against the walls.
Slowly, Cassian raised his head cautiously.
Korveth stood in front of him, staff clenched tightly in his hands, his head tilted toward the ceiling. "We have company," he murmured, voice taut with restrained fury.
From the crack in the wall, a woman glided into the chamber.
She descended without a sound, her robe floating around her body with eerie grace. Long black hair floated like a suspended stream head, defying gravity and cupping her face, which held a mocking and venomous smile. She twirled a dagger lazily between her fingers, nonchalant about the tense people in the room.
Despite the situation, Cassian admitted she was a pretty woman.
"Oriven, darling. Long time no see." Her words slid through the air, dripping with venom.
Cassian turned instinctively toward Oriven. The god of reincarnation's stance was cautious, and his fists balled into tight fists.
"Duvessa." His voice was low with restrained anger. "Always a spectacle."
Her laughter slipped out, sounding like trickling water. Cassian's skin crawled at the sound. "You know me. I like good first impressions. But let's not waste time. I came for the mortal."
Her steps echoed as she approached, deliberate and calculated. With each one, the lanterns along the walls flickered and went dark, until only the faint and faltering light beam at the centre remained. It was losing the battle against the shadows that came with Duvessa.
Korveth shifted forward, and a wall of smoke formed in her path. "Leave, before your blood stains the floor." His voice sharpened as he snarled.
Duvessa stopped, tilted her head towards him, and scoffed. "Cute. Tell me, Korveth. How will the council react when they hear you're protecting Celeste's new toy? We all remember what happened the last time that wench got her way."
The words sent a shiver down Cassian's spine. Council? Goddess? He had no idea what they meant, but the venom in her tone made his stomach knot. He staggered backwards, only to bump into the shimmering border of the light shield.
"Get him out of here!" Korveth barked. He slammed his staff down, and the smoke surged forward, crashing against Duvessa like a black tide.
Her beautiful face twisted with anger. "Fine!"
Daggers materialised into existence around her like a circle of pointy steel. With a flick of her wrist, they shot forward with deadly speed. Korveth moved faster than Cassian thought possible, sweeping his staff to deflect most of them. The smoke hardened into shields, hissing where blades pierced through.
But one dagger slipped past. It grazed Korveth's arm, leaving a streak of blood so dark it almost looked like ink. He hissed, and the smoke wall faltered, leaving an opening.
Duvessa lunged. A spear appeared in her hands, its point aimed directly at Cassian.
He froze as the weapon rammed into the barrier—mere inches from his face.
The shield trembled as a web of cracks crawled from the spear. Then it shattered, leaving him defenceless.
Her voice came from beside him, and his legs nearly caved in fear. He whipped his head around just in time to see her dagger aim straight for his chest with a deranged smile lacing her lips.
She slashed, but smoke surged again, knocking her sideways. Korveth lunged at her, pinning her down with the length of his staff, pressing it hard against her neck. "Move!" he barked at Cassian. "Run, damn it!"
Cassian's legs refused to obey. His entire body shook in fear. All he could do was stare, wide-eyed, as the two gods struggled before him.
Duvessa's knee shot upward, slamming into Korveth's abdomen. Korveth flew backwards, hitting the wall with a heavy thud. His staff clattered across the floor.
She rose, hair tangled, eyes glowing with blind fury. Her spear returned, larger and more dangerous, and she drove it into Korveth's chest. He gasped as the weapon pinned him against the wall.
"Stay down, darling," she whispered. Her fingers trailed playfully over his mask. Then her expression fell. "Let me do my job."
She turned towards Oriven and Cassian. Her steps were unstable, each shaking with fury. Dark energy spilt from her body, covering the chamber like a thick, dark blanket. The ceiling trembled as stones cracked and began to fall.
Cassian's ears rang as the aura from Duvessa overpowered him, clouding his reasoning.
Oriven's steady and commanding voice boomed suddenly as he chanted a spell. Light flared and covered Cassian warmly, reforming the shield.
"Stop this!" Duvessa screamed, her voice distorted and inhumane. She thrust her hand forward. "It isn't worth it! He isn't worth it!" Her voice sounded pleading, and for a second, Cassian almost thought he saw desperation in her eyes.
Then she lunged forward.
The smoke barrier surged again, cutting her off. Korveth stood near them, his icy-blue eyes glowed like blue flames beneath his cracked mask. His staff rose, and his smoke roared, forming monstrous faces of the dead that shrieked and wailed. They lunged and devoured Duvessa's form, pinning her down.
The blanket of smoke muffled her screams of fury.
"Go," Korveth said, his voice suddenly calm. His eyes flicked toward Cassian. A sly grin tugged at his lips. "And mortal—send the goddess my regards."
Cassian could only nod faintly as blinding light engulfed him, shooting him out of the shaken temple.
The world fell away, and his vision darkened. He felt weightless, like he was flowing in unseen currents. But it wasn't terrifying. It felt comforting.
Then the current shook, and disorienting pain jolted through him.
He gasped, and his eyelids fluttered open with great effort.
Birds sang and chirped in the air, and bright green foliage swayed above him.
Cassian blinked, groaning. "Where… am I?" His voice croaked like he hadn't drunk water in years.
A shadow loomed above him.
"Watch out!"
Before he could move, something slammed into his head. Pain shot out, stunning him. He yelped, clutching his forehead and looking up in disbelief.
Why does everything want to hurt me?