It took quite some convincing to convince both General Leonario and General Cecello of the plight at hand. The meeting resulted in the summoning of a Gryphon-rider to go the Bloody Isthmus to witness the destruction himself. Thus, I had to wait a few days for his return.854Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOXliZ8X6e2
After meeting with Leonario and Cecello, I made my way to the market district. It was a colorful, crowded place. As I strode among the chaotic, cramped streets that were abuzz with the chatter of haggling customers and stubborn merchants, fear settled over me. Fear for these people, for this city. It took the power of a God to save just me and Veran. There was no guarantee Eion would step in again.
This was my home, and I would die for it.
As I browsed the selection of exotic fruits at one of the stands, I realized that this must have been how Zara felt. Again, guilt stirred in me. And not just for her. For Khaeso and Calavius. I was at fault, even if indirectly in Zara's case.
After picking out a small selection of fruits, I made my way through the narrow streets, taking a shortcut through a particularly thin alley behind a brothel. Before long I stood before the temple of the storm. It was more like a tower, one of the tallest structures in the city and on a small hill. At the very tip, a metal-capped pillar reached into the sky, which drew most of the lightning from any storm that came to Alderas. I stepped into the temple. It was dimly lit by candles, and a few hooded priests wandered about.854Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡil5mIYK75C
I turned right, heading up the ramp that spiraled along the outer wall of the tower, lit by the windows that followed the ramp up. All the way to the top I went, occasionally passing by more priests who were mulling about.
Around and around I went, until my legs ached something awful. Just when I was beginning to think I'd never reach the top, I finally did. Up here, the air was crisp and cool, and whipped my hair across my face. There was a lone brazier, kept lit by the followers of Eion. Nobody was up here.
I knelt before the brazier, and dropped the colorful array of fruits into the brazier. A sickeningly sweet smell filled the air as the fire popped and cracked, hungrily licking at the flesh of the assorted fruits. I brought my hands together and bowed my head.
Father, I began, unsure of how to go about really praying, now that I was sitting here, thinking of the right words to say. While I believed in the gods, without a doubt, I was not a particularly religious man. Paying tribute to the gods and praying were not activities I partook in often, if ever really.
If you're listening, no... I mean, I hope you are. I wanted to thank you for saving Veran and me back at Moorehelm. I hope that I will find a better way to make it up to you than burning a bunch of fruits in your name.
Unsure of what else to really say, I opened my eyes, lowering my hands to rest them in my lap. I looked out at the sky, watching the clouds drift through the endless void of blue that was the sky. It was calming up here. Quiet. None of the choking smells of the city below. No shoving my way through crowds.
Maybe I would have to come back here more often.
Someone cleared their throat behind me. The hair on the back of my neck and arms stood up as I looked over my shoulder to see an olive-skinned man, with dark, shoulder-length hair and a thick beard to match. His eyes were so pure of a blue, I could have sworn they were glowing. He was dressed in a formal blue toga. He was not the average monk, and was definitely no noble or senator that I had ever seen.854Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvnhjIWNpCh
I stood up, turning to face him. His expression was unreadable. "I was just leaving," I said, moving towards the ramp down. Only, the man held up a hand, signaling for me to stop.
"No, stay. I came to speak with you, despite the warnings of my peers."854Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPGRooiphdC
My brows furrowed as I peered at the man. "Who are you?"854Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡblhIASdihU
"I have many names. You would know me as Eion, however."854Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtpNVGKASlN
My jaw dropped. Did I hear him correctly? Was this a trick?854Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8mK88YIE9r
"Listen, my son. I have a warning to deliver." He turned, walking up to the railing to look out over Alderas. I walked up next to him, my eyes locked on him. This all felt so unreal. I was standing here talking to a god who was my real father. "I understand that you must stay and protect your home. Your sense of duty is unwavering, a trait I wish more mortals possessed." His head snapped around, his piercing eyes falling upon me. "And there is no doubt that a terrible storm is coming. You, as my son, will play a vital role in stopping that storm. However, your true nature will inevitably be revealed. Alderas will become a dangerous place for you."854Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtX596NpOSX
"Wait. Why?" It took a moment for me to wrap my head around what I was just told. "Are you saying my father would disown me?"854Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Ro0DtY0X6
"Worse. The people already support you. They await the day you take the throne. If you listen, you will hear their whispers of hope on the streets. They will discover that you are my son, and that will only strengthen their desire to see you rule. Nautilus will see you as a threat, and will want to see you killed."854Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNzQelK4rJH
The worst part about his statement was that it was completely believable.854Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpvGOsTv8Y1
"And how is everyone going to find out about who my real father is, exactly? Is it really necessary for it to be revealed"854Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZZFm7NbfEh
"It is unavoidable, I'm afraid. The dragon was not wrong when he sent you to the west in search of the hilt to Stormbringer. Allies await you there , as shocking as that might seem to you." Eion clasped his hands together at the base of his back, turning his gaze back out to Alderas. "The dragon's prophetic vision has been clouded by Veramos. The god of death is on the prowl for what birthed our existence, in hopes of undoing us."854Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrX9OI2Rwzw
"Why can't the gods simply stop him?"854Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4L2Jn80Bkj
"A complicated set of rules exist that the gods must adhere to. One of the first of these rules is that we cannot harm one another. So we must work indirectly to stop him."854Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCfWGkxL3Ph
"Why would he want to undo all of you?"854Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8tNdiWPSO
"To become the one supreme god, I'd imagine. It is the only explanation that makes sense to me."854Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP1ccD38bxb
"That's insane," I commented, leaning my forearms against the railing.854Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK0B3aiLRPe
Eion laughed, the first true display of emotion he's shown since arriving here. "It is, yes."854Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa6NCyJjEz0
"Don't suppose you have any advice on how to stop a tidal wave, do you?" I looked over at Eion. His piercing gaze fell back upon me. He grinned at me, a wide, wild grin.854Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Ubh1XifBi
"Just remember. The sky is your friend, the wind is at your back, and lightning is the water's worst enemy." Eion reached over, patting my shoulder. "Trust your instincts, and protect your people."854Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKFMqFAaopb
I turned to face him. "I will do whatever it takes."854Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ93W0Kif3XV
"Good. Don't go getting yourself killed, hmm? I cannot intervene all the time."854Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiar4Q6yRlJ
I smiled. "I'll try not to."854Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQO4MGK8tCR
He peered at me for a moment, opening his mouth as though he were going to say something, but decided against it. Eion moved past me, heading for the ramp. "Goodbye, son."854Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRGQRFLebeb
"Goodbye, father."854Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcIPDfnc4Gu
Then, just as quickly as he appeared, he vanished. For the first time in what seemed to be forever, I felt as though the path ahead was clear.854Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12H6qvIzjQ
Well, my path past the inevitable tsunami that could crush the city, that I was apparently supposed to play a vital role in stopping. That part was still a bit unclear.854Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjOJuLoszPd
