Nyla’s POVThe earth shook under my feet.Above us, the sky was no longer only black or blue. It was part whirling shadows, half golden light.My son stood between them, and I held my breath.Warmth, the promise of serenity, tugged at him from one side.I couldn't hear the whispers coming from the other side, but I could see what it did to him.He stumbled. There was light and shadow in his eyes.The Harbinger next to me remarked, "Nyla, we're on the brink." The world will follow if he tilts too much in the direction of darkness.I clenched my hands.I said, "He hasn't made a decision yet."The ground split open in long, jagged lines as the wind howled unexpectedly.One exploded with dazzling, golden white light.But from the other crack rose dark smoke, curling and icy, rising like fingers from the abyss.My son—my lovely boy—was wedged in the centre, shivering."Stop it!" he yelled, shielding his ears."You have to make a decision!" The voice of the forgotten god roared through the
Nyla’s POVThere was a problem.When the grass became brown under my son's feet, I realised what had happened.Gentlely, I urged, "Don't run ahead."He turned and glanced at me. He smiled a little. "All right, Mom."But the green faded where he stepped. The flowers sagged. The leaves dried out. The trees themselves appeared worn out.The surrounding birds that once sang? Lost.In the branches, not even squirrels dared to move.I made an effort to ignore it. Perhaps it was the Earth, which was still healing after the conflict.But I knew deep down.He was the one."How are you feeling?" As I walked next to him, I asked quietly.He shrugged. "I suppose."Do you have a headache? Unusual dreams?He gave me a short glance. "No dreams."That was untrue. I knew.I refrained from pushing.The forest no longer felt like home as we ventured farther into it. There was silence in the woods. Too silent.Then we caught sight of it.A deer—stumbling, panting.It gazed at my son. Then, like lightning
Nyla’s POVThere was a problem.When the grass became brown under my son's feet, I realised what had happened.Gentlely, I urged, "Don't run ahead."He turned and glanced at me. He smiled a little. "All right, Mom."But the green faded where he stepped. The flowers sagged. The leaves dried out. The trees themselves appeared worn out.The surrounding birds that once sang? Lost.In the branches, not even squirrels dared to move.I made an effort to ignore it. Perhaps it was the Earth, which was still healing after the conflict.But I knew deep down.He was the one."How are you feeling?" As I walked next to him, I asked quietly.He shrugged. "I suppose."Do you have a headache? Unusual dreams?He gave me a short glance. "No dreams."That was untrue. I knew.I refrained from pushing.The forest no longer felt like home as we ventured farther into it. There was silence in the woods. Too silent.Then we caught sight of it.A deer—stumbling, panting.It gazed at my son. Then, like lightning
Nyla’s POVThe body of my son was cold.He didn't lift his chest.He held his hand motionless.I whimpered, "Please," and embraced him closer. You are necessary to me. Return to me.However, nothing took place.I gave the Harbinger a look. "There must be a method."He didn't respond. He had a stone face."There must be a way," I said.At last, he spoke softly. "There's one... However, it is prohibited. It predates the gods. And hazardous."I'm not interested. I'll do anything.His eyes were warning as he looked at me. "You can't stop once you start. You donate a piece of your soul if you complete the ceremony."I'll give it my all," I declared. "He is my son."From his coat, the Harbinger withdrew a black stone. It had a slight crimson glow.He declared, "This is the Heart Stone." Lay it across his chest. The words of life will then be spoken. However, keep in mind that something else always replaces the person you bring back.I gave a nod.He took a step back.I gently laid the stone
Nyla’s POVThe earth trembled.It was soft at first, like something crawling beneath the surface, and I could feel it under my boots. Then it rumbled more loudly and powerfully till the earth was ripped open by fractures.I took hold of my boy and drew him in.Smoke surged from the crevices, dark. It wasn't just smoke, though.Numbers.Twisted.Blazing.Screaming."No." I stepped back and said quietly. "They're getting up."With his blade in hand, the Harbinger stood next to me. He had a narrow face. His eyes were steely.He said that these were the remnants of the fallen gods. "Their pain and bones became soldiers."The sky grew gloomy. Not from the sky. From wings—large black wings of beings with just sharp teeth in their mouths and no eyes.The corrupted army sprang up out of the earth all around us. Some of them walked like people. Some crept on their hands and knees. Some pulled chains or splintered swords after them.They remained silent.They snarled.They arrived."Remain behi
Nyla’s POVIt took a while to respond to his query.I had a stiff throat. I had trembling hands.He had questioned, "Will you betray me too?"It wasn't his voice.But somewhere in there were still those eyes, those lovely, fearful eyes.I took a step forward.Slowly.With caution."I refuse," I said. "I'd never turn on you. You are my kid.As if it didn't like what I had said, the black smoke hissed and coiled closer about him."You swear?" His voice faltered, briefly becoming quiet once more."I swear," I said. Regardless of what occurs. I won't abandon you. I'm not going to give up.He trembled. The shadows whirled more quickly. Through the temple, the wind howled.His voice wavered between his and the god's as he said quietly, "You can't save me." "You ought to flee."With more volume, I declared, "I'm not running." "I am your mom. You are my soul and my heart. My love gave birth to you, and I will fight for you until the day I die.Behind him, a dark visage flashed—old, thin, and