The elder hall crackled with silence.
Outside, villagers packed supplies and tore down sacred totems. The Wodr would return, and when they did, it wouldn't be with scouts — it would be with their god.
Inside, dim lights shimmered faintly in the background. Ema'Tari stood at the center, framed by the crystal slab. Ten glowing lights hovered in the air above it, pulsing softly.
"Ten priestesses were chosen to awaken the Skotos champion," she said. "Each one linked to a facet of his being. Without them, he would be incomplete—unanchored."
Tavin stepped forward.
"Then where are they?"
Ema'Tari's voice tightened. "Taken. Killed. Broken. Or worse—used."
"Some were forced to bear the children of rival gods. Others vanished into enemy temples. One drowned herself before she could be claimed."
She paused. Then added:
"I was one of them."
Tavin blinked. "You—?"
She nodded. "I was meant to resonate… but not with you. The Gate chose your grandfather."
The words landed hard.
"He never answered the call," Tavin said.
"No. He left the Gate unanswered. And the Gate… waited. I was attacked. I resisted. The Wodr god believed I died."
Her voice cracked, but her stance didn't.
"I survived. And bore two daughters—Kaelara and Niah. They carry what I could not give."
Kaelara stepped forward, arms folded over her chest, the firelight catching the smile across her face.
"Then let me give it to him."
Tavin looked at her — and paused.
She was… closer than usual. The light reflected across her bare arms, casting her in a sharp silhouette. The straps of her combat wrap hung a little loose. On purpose?
"Kaelara—"
She stepped in, her voice lower, sultry. "If we're going to fight gods, why hold back? You need me. The Gate wants this."
Tavin flushed slightly. "This… isn't how that works."
She leaned in, lips nearly brushing his ear. "You sure about that?"
Niah coughed loudly behind them. "He's not a breeding project, Kael."
Kaelara sighed and backed off — barely.
"You're no fun."
The Hidden Priestess:
Later, Kaelara leaned against the doorframe while Ema'Tari fed fire into the incense bowl.
"There is one who might still answer," she said. "Another of the Ten."
Tavin turned. "Where?"
"Lucian territory." Ema'Tari's voice was cautious. "She was taken during the Great Split. Raised under their banners. They taught her light — not darkness."
Kaelara frowned. "Lucian. The highborns."
"More than that," Ema'Tari continued. "Their God may not know what she is. But if she awakens… she will be a beacon."
Tavin exhaled. "How far?"
"A week's journey. If we don't die on the way." Kaelara added.
That night, Tavin met Niah beneath the Gate shrine.
She stared up at the stars. "We're not just rebuilding a village anymore," she said. "We're chasing phantoms."
"Not phantoms," he replied. "Pieces."
He looked at her.
"Do you think she'll come?"
Niah's eyes flared softly with ghost flame.
"If she knows what they took from her, she'll come."