32. Creed
Creed
The familiar chill of Hell settles over my skin the second my boots touch the rubble.
Sevryn appears at my right, Barir at my left, and Gladian beside him. None of us speak beyond a nod as we march toward the Division.
I inhale slowly, letting the air fill my lungs as the ground vibrates beneath my feet. My awareness reaches through the realm until it collides with a power so vast it nearly forces me to brace myself.
Val’s Boundaries stretches around Hell like an unseen wall, each pulse thicker than the last as he layers protection over this prison.
I’ve never felt anything like it.
It took quite a bit of convincing to talk him into this. Not because he didn’t agree Hell needed more security. He just wasn’t comfortable doing exactly what I asked.
The guards at the doors appear, but before they can kneel, I wave them off and shove my way inside.
We don’t have time for formalities.
Three days. That’s it.
That’s the timeline Amick basically declared when we returned from the Unclaimed Region. No rest. No sleep. If not for Thayla’s warning glare, he probably wouldn’t have let us eat breakfast.
She won that battle, though, and told him he could plan the one we were preparing for while we ate.
He jumped right into it.
In the blink of a fucking eye, our house was full of our…soul family.
It’s difficult looking left at Gladian’s scowl and knowing my soul decided we should be close.
Fucking mental.
Anyways, everyone was given a task, a role, and a duty. No ifs, ands, or buts. They didn’t question the sudden plans or press Thayla for information about seeing her mom.
Thankfully. We would’ve had to lie to all their faces.
“Sir, welcome home,” Faron says as he races toward me. “Impeccable timing. I haven’t even had time to send a summons for you.”
“Phoelius and Zareb were calling for me?”
“Yes, sir. They’re already on the ridge, awaiting your arrival.”
Fuck. That can’t be good.
The four of us march down the hall leading to the platform overlooking the upper level. I don’t spare the waiting gods a glance, but I cast my power out just to be sure.
Phoelius and Zareb whirl around the moment I shove the door open.
“What’s happened?” I ask.
“That was rather fast. Faron is getting more impressive by the year,” Phoelius says, giving me a slight bow. “Barir, I do miss you, old friend. Gladian, I’m seeing more of you here than I ever thought I would lately. And dear young Seveous, aren’t you tired of this place?”
“Phoelius,” I bark. “Do you two have a problem?”
He huffs, rolling his eyes.
I swear to the gods, the realm could literally be burning around this man, and he’d still find time to address everyone he sees.
“Unfortunately, yes. Delun is missing. You instructed us to let you know if he did anything suspicious, and I’d consider disappearing suspicious.”
“Shit,” I curse under my breath, pinching the bridge of my nose.
My father is already making moves.
Well, maybe not him since Meridamus claims he’s healing, but he’s obviously sending word around.
Or worse, he has Seveous on the move.
“I was already walking in when Faron met me in the Division,” I say. “I needed to speak to both of you urgently.”
They glance at one another, then straighten their shoulders. The tension in mine makes it obvious this is serious.
“What’s happening in the realm?” Zareb asks.
“War is upon us. The God of Boundaries is outside Hell right now, strengthening the barrier. I wanted to tell you in person rather than risk writing a letter. There will be no coming in or out of Hell until this is over.”
They stare at me like I’ve misspoken.
“The God of Boundaries has returned?” Zareb asks.
“Yes.”
“And you have him locking Hell down?” Phoelius asks.
It isn’t a simple question, but there’s no accusation in his tone.
For the first time since Hell was created, I don’t think anyone—not even me—will be able to leave once Val is done.
Just the way I want it.
Kira has stolen enough from this realm.
He won’t be stealing anyone from here again.
“I am.”
He nods slowly.
“War must really be here then. That would explain Delun tucking tail and running. Does your father already know you’re doing this?”
“No, but we just hit him massively in the Abandon. He’s preparing.”
“Then we shall prepare as well. If he or any other are able to slip through the God of Boundaries’ barrier, we’ll be ready for them,” Zareb declares.
I dip my head.
“Thank you.”
“No thanks needed. Yet,” Phoelius says with a small smirk. “After all is said and done, I’d like a few weeks’ vacation.”
I huff a small laugh.
“I’ll make it happen.”
He gives me a nod, then he and Zareb murmur a few plans before heading off.
I don’t leave immediately. My feet carry me closer to the edge of the ridge, and I take a moment to gaze over it. There’s so much work still to be done here.
For the first time in my life, I want to do the work.
“Phoelius is right,” Gladian grunts as he appears beside me. “I’ve been here far too often lately.”
“Please,” Barir scoffs. “Try hundreds of years, then complain to someone about it.”
I’m not going to convince his ass to take a role here again when all is said and done.
Unfortunately.
He did his job. I wouldn’t say I trusted him before now, but I understood he would take his duty seriously.
So much has changed in such a short time.
“Never happening. There isn’t shit here for me, and the sooner I don’t have to come back with any of you, the better,” Gladian says, crossing his arms and staring out with disgust and grief in his gaze.
Little does he know…
A long sigh leaves my nostrils as my power stirs beneath my skin from the simple thought of what—who—is actually here.
Gods damn it.
“I need to share something with you,” I say as I face Gladian.
“Oh, fuck me,” Sevryn grumbles, walking away from us.
I sneer at his back.
Gladian arches a brow.
“Vihaan’s soul is trapped here in the Crypt. His death didn’t free him from my father’s binding.”
A multitude of emotions crosses his face in seconds.
Hurt flashes through his eyes, then he instantly calms his features as if he feels nothing. I know better.
“How long have you known?”
“I found out the day before we came and told you everything.”
“This just…slipped your mind?”
“No,” I admit. “I didn’t see a point in telling you. There was nothing I could do about it, and there still isn’t. Until my father loses his power and his Veil is destroyed, he’s stuck here.”
“Why now then?”
Fair question.
“It doesn’t sit right in my soul bringing you here knowing your brother’s trapped but keeping that information from you. You have a right to know.”
A rumble sounds from his chest. Maybe a grunt of agreement. Fuck if I know.
“Can I go to him?”
“Right now?” I ask.
“No.” He shakes his head. “When all is said and done. Can I go to him and tell him goodbye before you set his soul free?”
“Yes.”
“Very well then.”
He gives me a clipped nod, then stomps toward the door.
Barir doesn’t say anything, but he dips his head respectfully. Sevryn’s stupid fucking ass shakes his.
“You couldn’t have picked a better time?”
“No. He deserved to know and hear it from me.”
“If you say so,” he scoffs. “Let’s get the fuck out of here before your father-in-law locks us in.”
I smirk.
“My Binder would whoop his ass.”
The thought of her has my soul clenching in my chest.
It’s been one emotional beatdown after another, and what she’s doing right now is no different.
She, Riven, Lambrit, Rose, and Ellian are on their way to his house to tell Annalise she has to pack because she’s taking the kids beyond the barrier in Oddian.
She isn’t going to take that well.
She won’t have much of a choice, though.
The moment Val confirmed they’d be safe there and could stay at his and Anylah’s house, the decision was made. Ellian didn’t even put up a fight. He agreed immediately and said he’d tell the kids he planned a vacation.
Of course, neither Val nor we explained to Ellian who Anylah actually is.
That still has to be a secret.
Thayla and Lambrit are dreading saying goodbye, but they both know it’s for the best.
And it’s just for now.
After that, she and Riven are supposed to meet Vullie at his chime tower. He pitched a fucking fit, declaring that over his dead body would anyone touch his chime tower after Amick announced every dilapidated structure needed to be obliterated to make room for the army we’ll assemble.
He made a pretty good argument that Amick had just told him to make large batches of shit that goes boom, and everything he needed was already there. They eventually agreed everything from his chime tower to the barrier would be turned to ash.
That should help Thayla relieve some stress.
I lay my palm against the stone to give Gladian, Sevryn, and Barir permission to pass through, and the resistance against my skin is new. Uncomfortable.
Their faces scrunch with wary apprehension as we approach the outer exit. It’s even stronger. It feels like I’m swimming through sludge. If it’s already pulling this hard, I have no doubt that once Val’s finished, no one is getting out.
Speaking of the god…
As soon as we step through to the other side, Val huffs at us.
“Took you all long enough,” he says.
A blast of his power rips across us and we spin in just enough time to watch ripples travel through his barrier. I keep my eye on the waves it creates until I can no longer see them. All I have to do is lay my hand against the surface to know it’s completely fortified.
No one in or out.
“Good. Let’s get back to the Court,” I say.
“I’m actually going to check on Thayla and see if she needs my help,” Val says, but I shake my head.
“She doesn’t. She’s fine. I need you, though. We’ll see you at the Court.”
I starshoot out before he can argue with me. Granted, he’s going to do whatever the fuck he wants. Hopefully, though, his curiosity is piqued enough that he comes along and I don’t have to go looking for him.