1. The Immortal Convocation
Chapter one
The Immortal Convocation
Nicodemus
Bellamy Hall had been converted into a grand ballroom for the Immortal Convocation.
The glistening chandeliers were polished to perfection, dimmed to create mood lighting, but still liven up the elegant space around us.
Six-foot vases of gold and white flowers consumed the room.
Vines crawled down the sides of the vases and wrapped around the base of the stands, a special touch from Deveraux.
The opulent curtains were pinned back to reveal the eclectic windows overlooking the academy, letting the light of the coming moon cascade through them and over our waiting guests.
Everything was perfect.
All that was needed was the Gods-to-be.
Galaxy took the microphone and calmed the buzzing conversations exploding around the room in hushed whispers.
He gestured to the grand staircase that overlooked the room with a deep smile playing on his cheeks.
“Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to the Fourth Immortal Convocation Ceremony.” He paused to allow for claps and harmonious cheers from his excited crowd.
“As you know, this ceremony is held when the Gods partake in the grand exchange, something rare yet exciting for all involved. This year, though, is incredibly special. Not only do we present the next set of Gods to grace our universe, but we present to you, high-ranking Elemental beings of this vast galaxy, the Successors of the Original Gods!” When he said this, the room erupted in gasps and whispers, as expected.
Galaxy’s confidence brimmed at the raised energy in the room.
“And who better to introduce their Successors than the Original Gods themselves, returned to us after so many centuries of slumber!”
Erasmus and Endymion crossed the stage like two ancient paintings jumped right from the canvas.
They walked side-by-side but not hand-in-hand; Erasmus kept a smile on regardless of how close he was forced to be to Endymion.
Endymion was cheerful despite all that had happened, despite the distance Erasmus forced between them, and nodded to the crowd of Elementals who gawked at he and his ex-husband in astonishment.
Erasmus took the microphone from Galaxy.
“Thank you for such a warm welcome, not only to this incredible event, but to life once again. We are incredibly pleased to share this evening with you all tonight, to celebrate not only all we have accomplished as Gods and high-ranking Elementals, but to celebrate the birth of our beloved Successors. They have proven their strength and tenacity double-fold and are everything Endymion and I ever hoped for and more.”
Endymion spoke now. “We are incredibly proud to introduce your next Gods, if not your final Gods. This group of individuals are blessed with incredible power and strength even we are shocked they possessed, and it’s time we shared this with the world.
” He gestured to the stairs to his left, where a spotlight moved to cascade over the entrance.
“To begin, please welcome Odysseus Levasseur, God of Life.”
The lights in the room dimmed.
The grand doors at the top of the staircase leading into the room split, and with that split, an incredible ray of light cascaded over the crowd.
Stars began to emerge from this light and dance across the room.
Some guests caught them in their fingertips with small coos of awe.
Odysseus emerged from this ray of light, shimmering from his ultimate God form into the outfit he was given for the ceremony.
His dense carob hair was pinned into a half-up half-down with golden flower pins, revealing his amber eyes.
His bronze skin was adorned by white robes, with gold sashes that draped over his shoulder, leaving one bare.
His sword hung powerfully at his hip, a weapon to match the glory of its owner.
He looked like Adonis, a true God amongst us, as he floated down the steps and bowed to the crowd before taking his spot before Erasmus and Endymion.
“Next, please welcome Griffin Crawford, God of Electricity,” Endymion echoed.
Lightning crashed violently, exploding through the room before a roll of thunder followed it.
Griffin took the steps carefully, yet confidently, electricity bubbling around his eyes and around his hands as he summoned his thunderous lightning storm around him.
Guests whispered at the majesty of the lightning he summoned, which reached the air outside of the hall and made the sky illuminate around us.
Griffin’s complacent demeanor was washed away by that of a true God-to-be, a man worthy to hold the title in every sense of the word as he stood beside Odysseus.
Praxis came next, entering the room balancing on two vibrant tornadoes.
The wind from the storms took people’s breath away and made her long purple gown sway beautifully in the currents.
Her beach-blonde locks danced with her element, revealing her astonishing lilac eyes that pierced the room around her.
She blew small funnels across her fingertips that guests could catch and watch spin in their palms, smiling at everyone’s excitement as she, too, joined the line.
The three were patient as they waited for the rest of us but felt the pressure of the crowd.
Xenobia followed Praxis, in a lovely blue gown herself.
She glided into the room on an ocean wave that carried her down the pathway to her destination blissfully.
Her bundles of black curls were pinned up to reveal her stunning eyes, and the delicate jewelry her mother had gifted to her prior to this grand event.
Though younger than her companions, she fit into the line like a dream, and not once did she let her confidence falter regardless of her age.
Sebastian entered next, in a gorgeous green ensemble that flowed behind him, mingling with the flowers and vines he conjured as he walked.
With just a flick of his wrist, the curtains around the hall erupted in a vast array of wildflowers and other plant life, which consumed the room and brought it to life in ways even grander than before.
Sebastian’s eccentric personality was replaced by a stoic God-to-be, and as he took his spot in line, he held a poise I was envious of.
Soren followed his partner with flames licking up his hands, arms, and around his eyes.
His hair had become a flame as well, flickering so vibrantly that I could feel the heat from behind the stairwell I hid in.
He blew rings of fire into the air, simple party tricks to woo the crowd, and simmered to a tolerable temperature so he wouldn’t burn anyone he stood nearby.
Finally, Endymion called my name loudly and clearly into his microphone, as if he were truly proud to welcome me. “Finally, we have Nicodemus Crawford, God of Death.”
“Our time to shine, kid…” May whispered in my ear.
The lights of the room dimmed as black smoke pillowed from the top of the stairs.
A single spotlight, one that had followed my companions, fell on my face as I descended the steps.
I emerged first as the Grim Reaper, my scythe holding its three-bladed form.
As I transitioned into my attire for the evening, my Shadows, all seven of them at that, appeared one by one in their God forms, following me at an even pace but a confident one.
The crowd was utterly astonished to see how many Shadow Walkers I had.
Whispers buzzed through the crowd wildly; I summoned Akira, who glided through the smoke before turning himself into Helhest, so I could guide him by the reigns to the line.
I ran my fingers over his snout to calm myself as I posed beside Soren, who nodded to me with a wink to help settle my nerves.
“We are proud to present to the Elemental world, the Successors of the Original Gods, our next in line for the highly coveted position of Gods. Please welcome them with open arms, and take the time tonight to introduce yourselves thoroughly,” Erasmus called before he and Endymion bowed to the line of us respectfully.
The crowd followed this, and before long, the entire Elemental world was bowing before us.
It was incredibly intimidating to stand tall in front of such highly ranked beings, but I didn’t let that thought torture me.
Tonight was about us, and we were going to make an incredible first impression regardless of whether the world outside Odrikius was burning down or not.
Dad found me amongst the crowd and gently tugged on my arm, his eyes alight with pride and excitement.
“Nick, there’s some people I want you to meet.
” I followed him at a steady pace, though my heart was pounding with worry.
He raced through bodies like his life depended on it, excusing us with a gentle laugh or apology over his shoulder.
Finally, we approached a pair of people that were conversing over champagne by the grand windows.
Dad proudly stood me before him and fixed a strand of my hair before nodding to the group.
“Guys, this is my son, and my successor, Nicodemus,” he sang in delight.
“Yes… the boy with the seven Shadow Walkers. You have been quite the topic of conversation tonight, young man…” the man said with a curled smile under his thick mustache.
He held a hand out for me to shake. “My name is Dorian, and this is my wife, Juniper. We were Seraphine’s second-in-command for many centuries. ”
“It’s wonderful to meet you,” I stammered as I shook his hand.
“And you, sweetheart. My, you are the spitting image of your father, and with such wonderful talent as well. We are ecstatic to welcome you to the Death Elemental world and cannot wait to see what you accomplish during your time as a God,” Juniper wistfully said.