Page 157 of Dissection of Immortal Hearts
“According to the story, necromancers and vampires camefrom Sandir?” Amelia asked.
Renenutet took another sip of her wine. “That’s true. After the success of the first embryo, we created more like him – and others similar to him: vampires, necromancers, and hybrids between the two. They reproduced and spread across the Earth. Since not all of Earth’s population depended on Higher Powers any longer, the old chain broke. But those new species had their own flaws. Vampires, though capable of remarkable chastity, were often driven by unchecked desire. Many multiplied like rats, their lust uncontained. Necromancers, for all their potential for great kindness, lived as spiritual bridges – never fully part of the world they served. Over time, their distance bred envy. They inspired fear, and fear further isolated them. And the worst part? Those new species were far stronger than the old ones. At some point, it wasn’t the Higher Powers who posed the greatest threat to Earth. The very beings created to restore balance began to tear it apart from within.”
Amelia was finally understanding Callan’s story.‘But by the time I was born, Earth was already home to necromancers, vampires, and nymphs, as well as witches and humans,’he’d said.
Renenutet pursed her lips. “Gord decided to create a new kind – but this time, he withheld physical strength. Power had already proven too dangerous, too easily corrupted. He believed that if strength were removed, so too would be the drive for domination. In theory, this new species would restore order not through control, but through influence. Through beauty,humility, and subtle manipulation of emotion and energy. Creatures of allure, not aggression. They were meant to soften the world, to inspire harmony rather than impose it. That was the intention. Preni used her DNA as a base and wove in Earth elements – quartz, oleander, and blood from an eagle. Thus, the first nymph, Ana, was created.”
Renenutet curled her lips, glancing at her husband. “What we didn’t foresee? The emergence of interspecies wars. Between witches and nymphs. Between vampires and necromancers. Between humans and immortals. Since we bore the blame for what was happening, we made one last attempt to save the Earthlings. The final hybrid between a humanid and a human, intertwined with gold, blood from two magnificent animals, and an invisible element known only to Gord and Preni. That’s how Callan was born. From him came manticores and lycanthropes, but this time the energies didn’t stabilise.”
Amelia ignored the flutter in her chest at his mention. “Why?”
“The manticores were created for patience, spared from lust and untouched by magic, yet their nature was built on pure rage. They spread aggression like wildfire, igniting conflict wherever they went. The lycanthropes were born for abstinence – until consumed by hunger. When their voracious bloodlust surfaced, no restraint remained. It was time we accepted that, no matter what we did, Earth could never return to its former state. Each species avoided one corruption, but became a vessel for another. We believed we were creating balance. What we built was a world fractured by sins. Then Gord decided to no longer interfere in earthly matters…”
“And the reptilians?” Amelia pressed.
“After creating the new species, Preni began to change. She started showing signs of obsession, a conviction that balance could only be achieved through her hand. She wanted more – entire ecosystems shaped by her hand. Naturally, Gord forbade it. But she persisted. She possessed the knowledge and vision – but not the final alchemical substance needed to animate her creations. That secret was guarded solely by our Elders, and Gord refused to grant her access. Therefore, she turned to the one person who would never say no – Gord’s despised andunderestimated brother. Triceus was always eager to rub Gord’s nose in something. So when Preni approached him, he agreed without hesitation.”
Renenutet’s lips curled at the edges. “Together, they created the first reptilian – Arius. They hid him in Antambazi, far from the eyes of the Higher Powers so that no one would interfere with his reproduction or the growth of a reptilian colony. No one but Preni and Triceus knows what went into the reptilian DNA. But I’ll tell you this: Arius is the closest thing to a humanid this Earth has seen in centuries. You might consider reptilians to be your enemies. Believe me – there is no race more hardworking, more relentlessly focused than theirs. Under different circumstances, I think you’d admire them.”
Amelia wrinkled her nose. After her time in Antambazi, she doubted she’d ever admire a reptilian.
Renenutet leaned back slightly, a shadow passing across her face. “Gord was furious at Preni’s disobedience, and since he couldn’t punish his brother, he transferred all his anger onto her. He exiled her, stripping her of her powers and burying them on Earth.”
A silence stretched between them. Amelia blinked slowly, her mind circling the name – the exiled geneticist, the obsession with balance, the buried power. “Preni… The Queen. She’s Preni, isn’t she?”
Renenutet nodded, appearing satisfied at Amelia’s deduction. “That’s her.”
Amelia’s heartbeat quickened. They weren’t fighting a mere humanid – but the genetic essence of the immortal species.Oh, my God.The impaired regeneration… Of course, they couldn’t defeat her. The Queen wasn’t just powerful. She was the origin. She was the damn genetic code of the immortal species!
Amelia curled her trembling fingers into her palms, forcing herself to concentrate. There was still so much she didn’t know.“And the Sacreds?”
“Gord needed a way to control the species. So he created the Sacreds from the essence of each species – the core, primordial magic that animates all of them. Each Sacred then became their equal in power – opposite to the energy it was made from. But once he created them, I warned him they were too powerful. So, we scattered them across Earth. How they were eventually found, I have no idea.”
“The Queen created a new species,” Amelia said. “Harpies. They resemble nymphs, but with wings.”
Renenutet pursed her lips, pondering it. “Without Gord or Triceus’ blessing, these species are merely experiments. They won’t survive. But that doesn’t mean Preni isn’t a problem. If she activates the Sacreds, she will regain her powers as a humanid and find a way back to Surat.”
“If shedoesactivate them, she will kill herself,” Sobek pointed out.
Renenutet glared at her husband. “I mean, if she activates them and somehow survives. In that case, she’ll gain enough strength to attack Surat, and we’ll have no choice but to retaliate – a battle that will take place on Earth.”
Amelia’s heart clenched. “If you fear a war, why don’t you do something to stop it now?”
“Earth is not our territory,” Sobek said.
“We have no right to interfere after Gord’s command,” Renenutet explained. “Not unless we’re attacked, as would happen if Preni restores her powers.”
“So, you won’t do anything about the disrupted regeneration?” she asked.
“We have no business on Earth,” Renenutet repeated.
Amelia concealed her resentment. “Then will you at least tell me what causes the regeneration issue?”
Renenutet fixed her eyes on her. “I’m just the godmother;she’s the geneticist. I can’t tell you how she creates the diseases, but I can tell you her real name. The name no one but I know. Prenatheia, daughter of Gord and Priyanka.”
Amelia grimaced. “Prenatheia, daughter of Gord and Priyanka?”
Renenutet raised a finger in front of her face. “Be careful. A name is a weapon; thus, it should be used wisely. You wanted the names of the Sacreds? I’ll tell you something even better. The only chance Preni has to activate the seven artefacts is during the summer solstice on the twenty-first of June. Then, the Earth’s energy will be at its peak. Hide with the necklace and don’t let her discover you.”
