Page 104 of Feral Gods
The simple truth in his statement deflates my resistance. I allow my eyes to close, focus shifting to the comforting warmth of bodies on either side and the subtle pulse of energy from the pouch between Zephyr and me.
As consciousness begins to fade, something extraordinary happens—the faint pulse from Thane's essence strengthens momentarily, synchronizing with my slowing heartbeat. Not imagination but connection, maintaining itself even across the boundary between life and non-life.
The Codex's knowledge surfaces in my drifting consciousness:"True bonds transcend physical form, persist beyond conventional existence parameters. What appears as death to limited perception may represent merely transition to alternate state, awaiting proper conditions for reconvergence."
Hope blossoms anew as sleep claims me fully—not desperate, frantic hope built on denial, but quiet certainty founded on knowledge and connection. Thane isn't gone, merely transformed again, awaiting proper circumstances for return.
And we will provide those circumstances, whatever the cost. Not from obligation or magical compulsion, but from love freely chosen and freely given.
The last thought before dreams claim me carries surprising comfort despite our circumstances: we've already accomplished the impossible multiple times since that desperate night in theblizzard when I first stumbled upon three stone guardians. What's one more miracle among friends?
Among family.
24
ZAPHYR
Obsidian Falls earns its name through stark majesty—volcanic glass cliffs rising seven hundred feet from the valley floor, their polished black surfaces reflecting crimson sunset as we approach the ritual site. Water cascades over these ebony precipices, steam rising where the frigid torrent meets thermal pools below. Fire, water, earth, and air—the elemental convergence required for resurrection magic manifests here with rare perfection.
"The energy confluence exceeds theoretical parameters," I observe, measuring magical resonance with scholarly precision despite the emotion tightening my chest. "Optimal conditions for trans-dimensional working."
Ravik nods, amber eyes scanning our surroundings with tactical assessment that never fully relaxes, even here in this remote corner of Causadurn Ridge. His transformed indigo form stands silhouetted against the darkening sky, wings mantled slightly against the wind that whips through the narrow valley.
"Defensible," he confirms, completing our complementary evaluation. "Single approach path, multiple high-ground vantage points. Natural concealment from aerial observation."His gaze softens marginally as it falls on Kaia. "How do you fare?"
She stands at the edge of the largest thermal pool, steam wreathing her small form like spectral embrace. The pouch containing Thane's essence hangs open in her hands, copper particles catching dying sunlight in mesmerizing patterns. Four days of arduous travel have left visible marks—shadows beneath her eyes, new tension in her shoulders—yet her determination burns undiminished.
"The convergence responds to his essence," she answers, wonder threading through exhaustion in her voice. "Feel it?"
I extend my magical senses beyond conventional perception, detecting what her naturally attuned abilities recognize instinctively. The energy patterns surrounding Thane's remains pulse in synchronization with the elemental confluence, creating harmonics that transcend theoretical possibility.
"Extraordinary," I acknowledge, scholarly detachment failing to mask genuine awe. "The resonance suggests pre-existing connection to this specific location. As if..."
"As if he was always meant to return here," Kaia finishes, insight bridging our different perspectives as it often does. "The Codex indicated elemental affinity would guide our choice, but this exceeds guided selection. This is recognition."
Ravik approaches, practical concerns tempering our academic fascination. "Daylight fades. If the ritual requires Blood Moon alignment, we have approximately three hours for preparation."
He's right, of course. The twin moons rise late tonight, their conjunction with the Warrior's Constellation creating the celestial alignment necessary for our working. A convergence that occurs once every seventy-three years—either cosmic fortune or destiny guiding our timing.
"We should establish the ritual space immediately," I agree, withdrawing preliminary sketches from my satchel. The diagrams, transcribed from knowledge Kaia extracted from the Codex, depict complex magical geometries that must be precisely replicated in physical space.
While Ravik secures our perimeter with both conventional and magical safeguards, Kaia and I prepare the ritual site at the thermal pool's edge. Using volcanic sand mixed with specific mineral components carried from our sanctuary, we create intricate patterns across the smooth stone—concentric circles bisected by triangular formations that represent the boundaries between existence states.
"The innermost triangle represents the liminal space," I explain as we work, scholarly instinct to categorize and explain asserting itself even now. "Where life and non-life intersect, allowing transition between states."
Kaia nods, fingers tracing sacred symbols with intuitive precision that puts my calculated measurements to shame. "And we three will form the outer triangle, channeling combined energy to create stable pathway for Thane's essence to follow."
"Precisely. The confluence provides necessary power, our combined magical signatures establish direction, and the Blood Moon alignment creates temporal window for transition." My hands move automatically, positioning crystalline focus points at precise intervals around the ritual space. "In theory, perfectly balanced system."
"In theory," she repeats, the simple phrase carrying weights of hope and fear in equal measure.
As final preparations near completion, Ravik returns from establishing our defensive perimeter. His expression reveals nothing, yet the slight tension in his powerful frame suggests concerns he chooses not to voice.
"Perimeter secure?" I inquire, reading the unspoken in his posture.
"Adequately," he responds, characteristic economy with words revealing more than verbose explanation would. "No immediate threats detected, but..."
"But your instincts suggest caution," Kaia finishes, knowing him as well as I do after our shared journey.
