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“Enough! What does it matter if we draw strength from your devotion? It is the natural order. Gods rule. Humans serve. You exist to sustain us.” Zeru’s naked admission sends shock sweeping through the crowd.
Even the doubters gape in horror.
Time slows as the people process the deity’s words.
Zeru’s eyes become incandescent with rage.
Then his fury explodes.
The irate god slams his foot down, creating a forceful wave that crashes over everyone in the arena. The stands groan in protest. “We were here first. We shaped this world. You know nothing of what we are, what we’ve sacrificed!”
My own anger courses through me, heating my blood. “We know that you’ve pushed us too far by forcing us to kill each other.” I gesture between Lark and myself. “That’s too much to ask. We will not. Fucking. Do it.”
Zeru thrusts a finger in our direction. “You are bound by the covenant. You will fight.”
White-hot miniature stars spiral across the stadium.
The screaming crowd ducks in horror.
I cock my head to the side, sharing a look with Lark. “Are you a willing participant? Ready to fight as a champion in this death match?”
Lark lifts her chin, eyes burning gold with power and defiance. “I am most definitely not willing. I was pushed into this farce under threat of genocide against my people.”
“As was I.” I turn back to face Zeru. “The covenant requires willing champions. Since we don’t meet the criteria, can’t we withdraw our consent?”
Though I don’t know why I bother attempting to clarify. It’s not as if the gods are particularly trustworthy.
Zeru’s perfect face contorts with mounting fury. “If you will not fight for the gods, then you will fight the gods themselves.”
The crowd scrambles in terror, people pushing and shoving against each other in an attempt to flee. Children cry out, clinging to their parents. Wings flare in panic as some try to fly skyward only to hit an invisible barrier that now encases the entire arena.
“We expected as much.” Lark holds out her hand, slender fingers steady despite everything. “Ready to merge our powers and show them who they’re playing with?”
If this is a bluff to get the God of the Heavens to stand down, it’s a damn good one.
Zeru’s fury falters for a heartbeat, uncertainty flickering across his features. The gods shift nervously, exchanging glances that contain entire conversations.
Their sudden apprehension isn’t lost on the crowd.
The mortals pause their efforts to escape and watch with renewed interest.
“You cannot.” There’s a note in Zeru’s voice I’ve never heard before. Fear. “The convergence of opposing elements during a Champions Match is forbidden.”
“Oh, I assure you, we can.” Lark’s smile is lethal.
Our magics, more powerful than ever before, begin to mingle. The air around us shimmers with heat and moisture, creating a hazy aura that sparkles with possibility. This is what Bastian called our “long shot.” The loophole in the covenant he’d discovered in his research.
If Lark and I merge, we become one champion instead of two.
If one dies, we both die.
Neither can win…which means no gods can claim victory through us. Our union nullifies the covenant, rendering their divine game unplayable. It doesn’t solve the larger issue. They could still force us into a fight.
But our union buys us time.
It gives us leverage.
And keeps the lesser gods frozen in their seats, all eyeing Zeru.
