Chapter 521: The Call Of The Divines

Dad has always been the ‘ask your mother’ type of father.

Any time there are any big decisions to consider, confusing dilemmas to solve – mother knows best.

And so when any rare time the final word would somehow fall onto his broad shoulders, he’d always freeze, always fall silent.

Before, I was always under the impression he just couldn’t be bothered with the big choices.

But now knowing him better, knowing him really... the life he lived... he rarely ever decides because he never ever had to decide... his whole life he’s lived preemptively.

Dad searched around the barn for some guidance – and was met with only silent eyes gazing right back at him awaiting his answer.

Mine, especially.

.....

To put it bluntly, I busted my ass for this opportunity to have Mom get off hers and so to realize that it wasn’t her that held the final say but that it was Dad all along, had me in bated breath and stare right here.

He’s made it plenty clear plenty of time of his sentiments on the matter. He didn’t agree, he never agreed, always had been against me, but won’t do anything to aid or impede me.

And now, though inadvertently, I was essentially asking him to deliberately inflict an unfathomable agony to his darling wife all to accomplish something he wanted nothing to do with.

He’s never been upset with me before this. I wouldn’t blame him if he was now – ’cause, honestly, put me in his shoes... I’d probably be telling myself no.

“Come now, Mikey...” Mom reached up, and with a finger, nudged his gaze back towards her. “Our son’s counting us... let’s show him that we aren’t all bad, hm?”

Once again, he threw his stare back at me, and this time, it stuck for a long quiet while... then, with a sigh, he closed his eyes.

“To Frederika, of your endless grace, of your eternal divinity, I pledge to you my throes.”

Suddenly, a flicker in the dark – a glow of gold emerging forth from the blackness, her blackness.

Mom stumbled back a few paces, surprise and a smile both showing on her face.

“My, my, my... ooo,” She took a moment to breathe, clutching the rays of blinding, spreading gold emanating from her chest. “You know, a little warning would have been nice first...”

“To Yuila, of our wickedness you solely bear. Once more, strip me of this evil, and tarnish the purity of your soul.” Dad paused, his blank expression tightening, before continuing on in a well-rehearsed tone. “To Wilfrey, our first, our last, our aid, our salvation, offer your guidance now and bring forth your saving light.”

A brighter glow began to surface, burning away at her darkness, her skin. Mom kept herself steady, her head holding high, but I could visibly see the strain she was trying to suppress...

All this while, Grieven could see it too, reveling in the sight with wide, delighted eyes and baring a madden deranged smile.

historical

“Does it hurt? Please tell me if it hurts you. I want to know that it does!” He mocked, cackling “Terestra the Vile on her knees at last! I can’t wait to see that!”

“Then... I’m afraid I’m going to have to disappoint,” She responded back, hunching, but standing. “I’ve been... through worse before...”

Not even a second after saying that, she broke into a spontaneous coughing fit. One she tried in vain to hold back only for it to resound louder in echoes.

Grieven’s smile formed wider. “Not like this...”

“Velania, Vestra, your combined strength unparalleled,” Dad deafened himself, blinded himself to Mom’s continuing suffering, drowning her gasps and coughs with his voice without so much as a stutter. “A worthy battle awaits your might. Come forth, wage war upon my foe, vanquish – eliminate!”

Her entire body was completely consumed in the same dazzling light, it was as if it was scorching her whole. At this point, she dropped all pretense. The pain had just as well consumed her usual demeanor.

Right now, she was truly in pain.

“Allan, of your chaos we thrive, in your order we prosper. Grant me your balance, your judgment, and allow stringent fate to fall upon your behest!”

Mom was clutching at herself for comfort, for relief – and I just couldn’t bear it any longer.

I didn’t think it, I didn’t even consider it, but my body just began to move on its own. I knew there was nothing I could do to help, but I just felt like... I needed to be there.

But I only made it a single step forward before I was halted. A cold surged up from my palm, as did the slight prick of a jagged edge.

Adalia was slowly shaking her head the moment I turned around, speaking out in a little more than a whisper.

“Interfere...” She said, “We will have... to start again...”

“The might of six against one!” Grieven continued to jeer. “What’s wrong, Terestra? Already too much? Bear in mind, there is still one more to go!”

I tried to ignore him, stamp his words out my mind, and focus only on Adalia.

“I won’t, I’m not, I just...” I replied, and from behind me, an excruciating whimper reached my ears, and I had to hold tighter onto her hand to force myself still. “This wasn’t how I thought things would go.”

“Terestra... didn’t want you... here... didn’t want you... to see...” She blinked her soft misty eyes. “And so... did I...”

How considerate of them, but...

“I have to be here, Adalia.”

‘I know...” She said, nodding once. “So stay...” her hand drew away from mine. “Just... watch...”

Watch...

Was this how it feels, them? How it felt like for the rest of them to watch me push myself to the edge? Only able to standby and watch knowing that that’s the best thing you can do.

Honestly, I think I would rather be on the opposite side of the two positions. Watching was unbearable...

“To Riastra, oh our first great travesty and our first great miracle,” Dad’s voice blared aloud. “Hear your sisters, hear your brothers! Hear me! Awake from your slumber and answer!”

That was it. I counted them. Seven names called. Seven Divines beckoned. Whatever this prayer was, it was over, right? It’s done. The pain should subside, so why...

“The seal of the Divines,” Grieven muttered, his smile fading. “It’s unleashed, it should be taking effect, so why... why isn’t it binding to you?”

Mom briefly keeled over, staggering forward – her every movement obscured by the radiant light.

“Of course... not... not yet...” She said, focusing her breath. “The prayer... isn’t over just yet... you see...”

The confusion on his glowing face mirrored mine. Then, suddenly, off to the side, a louder recital promptly continued on.

“Finally, to the last, to the begotten, to Terestra!” Dad shouted, meeting her gaze wide and tense. “I ask of your wicked mercy, of your loving pity, grant my request and damn my soul to your kind cruelty.”

For the first time, Grieven had completely lost the anger in his eyes – there was just shock, a brimming emptiness. Without breath, without thought, all he could do was stare.

And Mom looked on at him with an all-knowing smile.

“Sure can do, dear,” She said, returning to her mocking tone. “Request granted.”