Page 95 of Bound Paths
“As Rose said, we needed to rethink our definition of balance. When the gods first corrected their mistakes, they left three on the continent with the four compass points. But the scales have changed based on their actions and Aterra’s.” He sighed. “We didn’t want another situation like yours and Zrak’s.”
“You think you can bridge the power gap with Aterra in between realms?”
Luc nodded. “And when I met Darren in Loch… I can’t explain it, but I knew I wasn’t meant to be Suden Point.” He gestured to Darren. “If another Suden of my generation had that kind of power—I couldn’t remain in the position.”
“So, this is what rebalance looks like?” Juliette asked. “Three gods and a demigod on the continent, four Compass Points, and the rogue god held between realms?” Her gaze slid to Carter.“Oh…and a Compass Point inextricably linked with the Lady of the Veil.”
“I think so.” He shrugged. “The Veil and our continent were already linked. Even if Cassandra had let us leave Aterra there, and I was not needed to hold this space between realms closed, I don’t think a demigod could remain a Compass Point—it might be less significant in the face of some of our problems, but it’s an imbalance of its own.”
Rose agreed.
“I didn’t want to bother Aaron since I knew he was already handling a lot, but we don’t have to worry about the Suden test for power being invalidated now that you’re back?” Carter asked.
Luc waved his hand. “No, it’s irreversible. A past Suden can’t reclaim power, even if something happens to the current Suden Point before the next is found.” He smiled at Darren. “The job is all yours.”
Carter, no longer concerned their plan would fall apart, was ready to move them along. The Suden god was held safely in the space between.
“Let’s get going. We may have removed the problem of Aterra, but we need to make the sacrifices and remove the mist plague.”
“Oh, you’re going to love this,” Rose said, squeezing Luc’s hand and looking back at Darren. They hadn’t had the pleasure of the Osten caves yet.
“The way you say that,” Darren said, “leads me to doubt very much that I will love this.”
Rose smirked.
“Here’s hoping this is the last time any of us have to come down here for a long, long while,” Juliette said as she led them out into the ridge.
“That was terrible,”Darren said. “You did that regularly to commune with the Lost God? No wonder you hate him.”
Rose wasn’t sure hate was the right word for Juliette’s feelings about Zrak. From her brief understanding, it was much more complicated than that, but Juliette only nodded as Lela greeted them in the hallway at Osten house.
“Success?” she asked, looking among the Compass Points.
“Best we can hope for,” Carter replied as he left the house.
“You should come with us, Lela,” Juliette said. “We need to perform a sacrifice before we can heal the continent from the mist plague.”
Lela’s eyes widened at the opportunity, and she was quick to drop whatever she’d been doing and follow the continent’s leaders.
The group gathered on the beach in front of Norden house. Some unspoken understanding led them there. This was where they met to do the annual lake refilling ritual. This was where they would unite to sacrifice, to heal the continent.
Arie, Aurora, and Zrak walked out as the group readied themselves on the beach.
“Success?” Zrak asked, echoing Lela’s words.
“With Aterra, yes,” Rose replied. She gave Carter a little side-eye to see if he’d say anything about his commitments beyond the veil. He didn’t, and Zrak didn’t press.
“Now we must heal the continent and take care of the people we steward,” Juliette said.
“Making the sacrifice here should be as good a place as any,” Zrak said, walking to the shoreline. “Do you each know what you’ll give?”
The Compass Points looked amongst themselves. Rose saw Darren eye the ring Luc had given him. They hadn’t discussed the details of the sacrifice. Zrak had shared that information before he arrived. She had an inkling that they were all on the same page. “Something that means a lot to us and our people? Something powerful?”
Zrak nodded. Darren looked at the ring again, and she knew they had the same idea. The gods had gifted these artifacts to the Compass Points at the creation, but each of the current leaders was where they were despite the god’s meddling—not because of it. It was time for the Compass Points to stand on their own.
“I’ll sacrifice Aurora’s dagger.” Rose looked at the goddess as she said it. She was lucky because she’d still have the compass, even after the dagger was gone.
“I’ll sacrifice Aterra’s ring,” Darren said, holding up his prize. “It’s done enough damage from what I’ve learned.” He spared a glance at Luc as if he still wasn’t sure this was his decision to make now that Luc was back.
