Page 57 of Crimson Skies

The Moira nodded.

“And you still intend to fight?” Hecate asked in a deadly voice.

“The alternative is something none of us can live with,” Cassius said quietly before Atropos could reply. “If we lay down arms before this battle begins, if we admit defeat before even trying, then we do not deserve this existence and our realms merit the dark fate that will be theirs forever more.” He met Pyri and Hecate’s incredulous stares. “Even the Underworld will not be protected from what Elios intends if he is victorious.”

Pyri scowled. Hecate clenched her jaw.

“The Awakener is right.War is inevitable.”

Surprise jolted Cassius. He looked at Myrdin.

The Forest God’s face was as grave and steadfast as his tone. Even the Reaper God looked surprised by his father’s serious demeanor.

Cassius swallowed, grateful for the deity’s support.

“You’re forgetting something,”Tenebra toldthe Gods of the Underworld with a frown. “Icarus awakened us in the Seventh Purgatory. He will do the same to all the deities and demigods in our army on the first day of battle.That alone will put Elios at a serious disadvantage.”

Myrdin blinked.

Hecate straightened, her expression clearing. “So, that’s why your powers feel so much stronger!”

Atropos dipped her head curtly. “This won’t be like the War in the Nether, when Elios had the upper hand not just in terms of numbers, but in the caliber of his allies and the fact that the attack took almost everyone by surprise.He probably does not fully appreciate that having Coraos and Hypnos at his side helped him win that day.”

Pyri observed Cassius broodingly for a moment.

“In that case, we may very well stand a chance,”he said gruffly. “Unlike the first time you fought him, this time we all know what we’re up against.”

“A chance is all we need.” Cassius hesitated, the plan of action he’d come up with a few days ago dancing through his mind once more. “I will make sure to use it to our full advantage.”

Atropos’s eyebrows drew together at his words, like she’d glimpsed a truth she didn’t like.

“There’s something I don’t understand,” Eden said slowly. “Can Elios really unlock the Abyss if he is missing two artifacts? He doesn’t have the Sword of Wind or the Horn of Flames.”

The other Gods looked from the puzzled Magus to the Moirai, their expressions equally curious.

Cassius’s heart grew heavy. He already knew the answer to the question.

Atropos’s hands tightened on her lap. “I’m afraid our brother is even more powerful now than when we faced him in the Seventh Purgatory. I could tell from the reek of corruption coming from the dead warlocks and war demons who attacked the city today.” She met their despondent stares unflinchingly. “So, yes. I believe he can probably tear open the Abyss, just like Icarus did in the Nether five hundred years ago.”

The fraught silence was shattered when the tent flaps parted forcefully. Strickland stormed inside, his expression hard.

“I hate to break up your meeting, but the sky is glowing.”

24

Cassius’s heart thumped.An echo of a familiar power was pulsing within his soul core.

Theo’s pupils flashed gold. He looked over at Cassius, equally startled. “It’s Nildar and Archon!”

They jumped to their feet and headed out ahead of everyone.

Startled shouts rose from the otherworldly army and humans in the park. More came when those who had gone to bed emerged from their tents to look for the source of the clamor. They pointed at the brightening sky above their heads, their faces reflecting alarm and wonder. A cautious stillness came over the specters of the Spirit Realm as they watched the phenomenon.

Cassius’s stomach knotted. He could feel the growing energy of the East and West Stars. They seemed anxious.

What are they doing here?

The last time he and Theo had spoken to Nildar and Archon was after their return from the Seventh Purgatory. The two Guardians had traveled to Earth at Atropos’s bequest and had been tasked with gathering an army of their fellow forest and desert deities to help fortify the Nether ahead of the war to come.

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