Theron's voice cut through the fading roar of battle. "Kaelith, enough. We've done enough damage today."
Theron was never one for violence unless it was absolutely necessary, and even now, as the lesser gods, fairies and mystical beasts lay injured and scattered across the shaking realm, pity weighed heavy in his grey eyes. He looked at the fallen, at the beasts that had fought beside them, at the fates that had been twisted in the chaos. Elyra stood a few steps away, her deep forest-green eyes filled with quiet worry. She knew how hard Theron always tried to avoid fights in Aethryss. Now it had come to this.
She glanced toward the horizon, where cracks still spider-webbed across the aurora. "This divine war… what will it do to the lesser realms? To Earth?" Her voice was soft but heavy. "Nature listens to me. If Kaelith has truly unlocked his void and chaos, plants may stop growing in some worlds. Trees may wither. The balance we fought to free could break everything instead."
Despite the anger still swirling in Kaelith's mismatched eyes, crimson burning hot, blue icy cold, he calmed the moment Theron's hand rested on his shoulder. The touch was gentle but firm, grounding. The glass blades of his wings stopped vibrating with rage and retracted.
When they finally retreated to Kaelith's palace, the Crimsonspire, the surviving rebels followed. It was the safest place left, the one fortress The Table would not dare storm directly. The tall ruby-and-blood-diamond towers glowed faintly in the unsteady light.
Once inside, the three proceeded to Kaelith's private quarters, the heavy doors sealing behind them. Only Elyra and Theron dared be with him. Kaelith moved to a carved crystal table and poured three cups of his special elixir, a deep golden drink, one of his many inventions, meant to ease the stress and tension from the battle.
Elyra accepted hers gladly and downed it in one smooth motion, letting out a soft sigh of relief. Theron took his cup, squeezed his face in distaste, then hesitated. He brought it to his lips, letting only the tip of his tongue touch the liquid.
Kaelith's laugh boomed through the room, rich and unexpected. "For someone who doesn't drink and is as fragile as you are, you really don't fear me."
Theron looked up immediately, his grey eyes questioning.
Kaelith understood the silent look and continued, a small smile tugging at his lips. "You don't fear my void. You don't fear my wings. I was swimming in anger, and you had the boldness to touch my shoulders and bring me back. Even Elyra kept her distance."
Theron smiled softly. "Because I'm sure you won't harm me, Kae. You have more control than you think. Give yourself some credit."
"And Elyra enjoys fights like you do," Theron added, glancing at her. "She enjoys seeing what your wings can do and the way you become the realm's worst nightmare. While I, on the other hand, would rather not."
Elyra laughed, a bright cackle that filled the room. "Theron, you and I both know there's more to this. But believe whatever you may."
Theron stiffened and shot her a warning look, daring her to say anything more. She shook her head innocently. Kaelith looked between the two of them, trying to understand the undercurrent, but knew it was futile. Those two could be impossibly tight-lipped when they wanted to be.
Elyra took the liberty of pouring herself another cup. "So… what's the next plan?"
Kaelith froze. In all the fury of rebellion, he hadn't thought beyond the immediate fight.
Theron laughed and shook his head at him. "So much for leading a rebellion, Kae." Turning to Elyra, he answered calmly, "I've already sent one of my bird messengers with a letter to The Table proposing an agreement. We'll need to send the full details of when and where soon."
Kaelith turned to his friend, clearly impressed. Elyra still had questions. "Theron, what exactly is in that letter of agreement?"
Theron took his time, sipping the elixir and making the same sour face before replying. "Just putting Kaelith on the table; giving him a seat and assurance of safety for some of us. While Draven, Lirath, Zorath, and Sylvara should be given more free reign. After all, they are gods, even if lesser ones. Locking away their gifts just for The Table's pleasure is pure nonsense."
Elyra's face broke into a wild, almost crazy smile. Kaelith stood dumbfounded, still stuck on the part about him being seated at The Table.
Theron chuckled. "Seems like I broke him, El."
Kaelith turned to Theron, his mismatched eyes narrowing. "Why would you do that?"
Theron looked at him as if he had grown two heads. Even Elyra stared in surprise.
"Because you're a god, obviously," Theron said simply.
Kaelith studied his friend carefully, the creature-like features that still lingered faintly in his divine form, the storm-grey eyes that always seemed to see too much. "You've known for a while that I am a god, haven't you? You don't seem surprised, unlike Elyra."
Theron just shrugged, calm as ever.
Anger surged through Kaelith. Lightning cracked across the realm outside, shaking the walls of Crimsonspire. Elyra stepped back instinctively, but Theron remained still, looking almost bored.
"It wasn't my place to say, Kae," Theron said quietly. "It's just one of the gifts of being a fate weaver. I stumbled upon the vision by accident."
"Nothing is ever an accident with you Ron. And you didn't deem it fit to tell me, you varanukum?"
The ancient curse in Aethryss tongue hung heavy in the air. Everyone knew that when Kaelith cursed like that, he was truly livid.
Theron lowered his gaze. "Forgive me. I just couldn't tell you. The Table still doesn't know about this gift, and I feared you'd rage when you discovered why they were so desperate to subdue you. Kae… please."
He turned to Elyra, voice softening. "Elyra, forgive me."
Elyra turned away, downed another cup of the elixir in one gulp, and muttered, "So much for having the fate weaver on our side."
Theron tried to make himself smaller, whimpering in pain as his two closest friends, companions for millennia, turned their anger toward him. He curled into himself, using his dragon-scale wings to cover his head like a shield against an oncoming storm.
Elyra's expression softened at the sight. She walked over to the curled form, knelt beside him, and gently ran her fingers across his wings, her touch warm with a calming air. Theron purred softly at the contact and slowly relaxed, lowering his wings and lifting his head.
"I'm sorry, El… sorry, Kae," he whispered.
Kaelith walked over and joined them. He reached out and rubbed his hand gently along Theron's head, the anger draining from his voice. "Ron, it's okay. I believe you. I'm just mad that I wasn't aware of anything. Who knows what more they are hiding from me… or what you are hiding from me."
Theron shook his head quickly. "I'm hiding nothing more. I swear it."