Xenobia followed Praxis, in a lovely blue gown herself. She glided into the room on an ocean wave that carried her down the pathway to her destination blissfully. Her bundles of black curls were pinned up to reveal her stunning eyes, and the delicate jewelry her mother had gifted to her prior to this grand event. Though younger than her companions, she fit into the line like a dream, and not once did she let her confidence falter regardless of her age.
Sebastian entered next, in a gorgeous green ensemble that flowed behind him, mingling with the flowers and vines he conjured as he walked. With just a flick of his wrist, the curtains around the hall erupted in a vast array of wildflowers and other plant life, which consumed the room and brought it to life in ways even grander than before. Sebastian’s eccentric personality was replaced by a stoic God-to-be, and as he took his spot in line, he held a poise I was envious of.
Soren followed his partner with flames licking up his hands, arms, and around his eyes. His hair had become a flame as well, flickering so vibrantly that I could feel the heat from behind the stairwell I hid in. He blew rings of fire into the air, simple party tricks to woo the crowd, and simmered to a tolerable temperature so he wouldn’t burn anyone he stood nearby.
Finally, Endymion called my name loudly and clearly into his microphone, as if he were truly proud to welcome me. “Finally, we have Nicodemus Crawford, God of Death.”
“Our time to shine, kid…” May whispered in my ear.
The lights of the room dimmed as black smoke pillowed from the top of the stairs. A single spotlight, one that had followed my companions, fell on my face as I descended the steps. I emerged first as the Grim Reaper, my scythe holding its three-bladed form. As I transitioned into my attire for the evening, my Shadows, all seven of them at that, appeared one by one in their God forms, following me at an even pace but a confident one.
The crowd was utterly astonished to see how many Shadow Walkers I had. Whispers buzzed through the crowd wildly; I summoned Akira, who glided through the smoke before turning himself into Helhest, so I could guide him by the reigns to the line. I ran my fingers over his snout to calm myself as I posed beside Soren, who nodded to me with a wink to help settle my nerves.
“We are proud to present to the Elemental world, the Successors of the Original Gods, our next in line for the highly coveted position of Gods. Please welcome them with open arms, and take the time tonight to introduce yourselves thoroughly,” Erasmus called before he and Endymion bowed to the line of us respectfully. The crowd followed this, and before long, the entire Elemental world was bowing before us. It was incredibly intimidating to stand tall in front of such highly ranked beings, but I didn’t let that thought torture me.
Tonight was about us, and we were going to make an incredible first impression regardless of whether the world outside Odrikius was burning down or not.
Dad found me amongst the crowd and gently tugged on my arm, his eyes alight with pride and excitement. “Nick, there’s some people I want you to meet.” I followed him at a steady pace, though my heart was pounding with worry. He raced throughbodies like his life depended on it, excusing us with a gentle laugh or apology over his shoulder. Finally, we approached a pair of people that were conversing over champagne by the grand windows. Dad proudly stood me before him and fixed a strand of my hair before nodding to the group. “Guys, this is my son, and my successor, Nicodemus,” he sang in delight.
“Yes… the boy with the seven Shadow Walkers. You have been quite the topic of conversation tonight, young man…” the man said with a curled smile under his thick mustache. He held a hand out for me to shake. “My name is Dorian, and this is my wife, Juniper. We were Seraphine’s second-in-command for many centuries.”
“It’s wonderful to meet you,” I stammered as I shook his hand.
“And you, sweetheart. My, you are the spitting image of your father, and with such wonderful talent as well. We are ecstatic to welcome you to the Death Elemental world and cannot wait to see what you accomplish during your time as a God,” Juniper wistfully said.
I smirked half-heartedly. “I hope to be everything you’re expecting. This is all so new and crazy to me, but I’m ready to show the world what I got,” I laughed nervously.
Juniper spoke in a gentle tone, but her voice was aged with years of wisdom and grace, much like Seraphine’s. “We’ve already heard of some of the changes you made downstairs in Gehenna. That whole journey your partner made… Gods, it was just so heartbreaking, yet so incredible. You both have been through so incredibly much. Your power is surely astronomical to what we ever expected.”
“Hopefully in a good way?” I peeped, which made the couple laugh.
“We expect no less from someone Seraphine is so proud of. She tends to be guarded in her emotions, but she’s gushed to us all night about you, so you surely shine in her eyes,” Dorian said.I was ecstatic to know Seraphine thought so highly of me and relished in that fact.
I conversed with Dorian and Juniper for a moment, but the conversation was stagnant, so my eyes began to travel amongst the room. To my right, I saw Endymion arguing with a pair of girls, and this piqued my interest. I excused myself briefly and ducked through the crowd to try and catch the tail end of the conversation, but before I had a chance to sneak by, one of the girls snapped her head around and pointed to me. “Him, it’s him! He can decide what’s fair!”
“Girls, please… do not bring him into this!” Endymion tried to moan, but one of the two had already grabbed my arm and yanked me forward.
“Um, hi there?” I attempted.
“You’re Nicodemus, right? The next God of Death?” the one who grabbed me asked.
I freed myself from her iron grip. “Yes, I am. Who do I have the pleasure of meeting?”
“Endymion’s daughters,” Erasmus bitterly sniffed as he joined us as well, crossing his arms tightly over his chest so he could glare at his ex-husband menacingly.
“Your… daughters?” I questioned.
Endymion groaned and pinched the bridge of his nose. “They are… mine and Icheiris’s.”
The other girl narrowed her eyes at me. “Yes, Icheiris, the demoness that your boyfriend murdered. You know, ourmom…” she spit acidly.
I cleared my throat against the awkward air. “Um, I apologize, for all that transpired with your mother. It was very difficult circumstances for all involved.”
“Sure it was,” Erasmus huffed.
The original girl stuck her tongue out at him. “You can be salty all you want; she was still our mom, and we have the right to her Layer now that she’s gone!”
“Her Layer?” I pressed.
