Page 78 of A Soul to Steal

Why not?Because humans are stupid.They had been irrevocably unseeing of the wonder that was Aleron.

“We Mavka are feared,” Aleron answered, when Gideon only gave silence. “Our skulls terrify the humans, and they hunt and attack us or flee in fear.”

A thunderous rumble vibrated everything around them as sparks fizzled around her. There was the earthquake and lightning he’d been expecting!

“Why? I can’t sense any hostility from you.”

Aleron tilted his skull to Gideon, flashing white orbs. Since he didn’t know what the Duskwalker silently sought, he shrugged in answer.

I should probably also just stay... quiet.He was a human, and currently the problem species being discussed. In situations like this, it was best just to keep his head down and speak when only required.

“We... have eaten many of them,” Aleron explained. “Our hunger is unending, and we often fall into a bloodlust. It is not their fault.”

The rumbling stopped, as did the sparks. She cast her eyes to the side. “I see. So the curse extends past Weldir.” Her nose and cheeks winced with sorrow. “He experiences no hunger, as he doesn’t have a true form, but it appears the Demon thirst for blood is shared with his children. I sense no hostility because you are dead, negating that desire.”

She then cast Aleron a wary look, only for it to fade instantly.

“It has always been unfair that my child suffered due to my negligence. Now I have hurt my grandchildren as well.”

“It is not a curse,” Aleron confidently stated, making her pause.

His statement also caused Gideon’s lips to part in surprise.

“Pardon?” she rasped.

“Calling it a curse means there is something wrong with us,” Aleron continued, his arms loosening on Gideon. “We Mavka... Weldir said we are not whole and are born with no features.What we first consume becomes our forms, but we are missing an anchor. Once we have it, the hunger goes away.”

“I am assuming you speak of soul eating.” Her floating, glowing wings fluttered behind her rapidly. “I was surprised when I learned of this trait of Weldir’s, as his father was not a soul protector. To be a deity of death is a high honour, and their power is often on par with my own.”

“What are you a deity of then?” Aleron asked, tilting his head in the cute, curious way he often did.

“I am the goddess of mana,” she answered warmly. “Those with the honour of life tend to be weak, as they are constantly giving away their power for the birth of everything within their realm. Those who take, like those pertaining to death, grow with each soul they harbour, and often will have a contract for rebirth with life.”

Aleron moved forward with a single, hesitant step. “Then what of Weldir? He is often weak and must slumber.”

Her eyes bowed with what Gideon could only decipher as sadness or pity. “He is not fully formed, so what he collects is barely enough to keep him present. Even now I can sense him, and he has recently weakened to the point he was close to never waking – the equivalent of death, since we are immortal. He should not have destroyed so many souls, or he may never have woken again.”

He and Aleron shared a look with each other. Or rather, Gideon shared one with his dark-yellow orbs.

It must have been when they tried to kill Jabez and bring Emerie back to life.If Gideon could, he’d give the guy a father of the year award.

To sacrifice his own life for his children... well, that was pretty freaking neat. Then, in the midst of his weakness, he’d also reunited a child with their deceased loved one.

“I am sorry, by the way,” she said, flicking her eyes to Aleron’s bat skull. “I didn’t mean to cause offense for calling it a curse. It is how he sees it, what he calls it because of all that he has suffered. Weldir considers himself flawed, but I think he is perfect as he is. If it weren’t for him, I, and the few remaining deities here, would no longer be present.”

Gideon’s head cocked.

He never thought he’d meet a higher power, let alone hear one apologise for something so minor. Her benevolent nature was commendable.

Her lips curled into a knowing smile at Gideon. “However, that is not my story to tell. It is also one that spans over many human centuries and your time is limited. I have given Weldir a break from using his power, preventing him from calling you back to his realm, but I have only just awoken myself. I am not at my full capacity, which is why I am not weeping.”

“You weep?” Aleron turned his skull to Gideon questioningly. “As in cry?”

“Yes,” she laughed, before Gideon could answer. “It is how I naturally feed my mana into the Elven world without needing to think about it. It is also why this realm is upside down and parallel to theirs, as the synergy waters at your feet flow to them directly.”

“Why must you be filled with sorrow for this?” Aleron asked, just as his orbs swirled with a deep blue for her. “Is there no one here to bring you into the comfort of their wings?”

She exaggeratedly covered her mouth when she gasped, her eyes widening. “Oh my,” she rasped. Then she pointed to him while staring at Gideon. “He’s just the sweetest!”

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