Page 91 of Sun Warrior

“It is finished, my Lord,” she finally said, taking a small step away from Him.

“Excellent.” Then He ignored her.

First, He spoke to the two men. “Mark me. These next moments will change our People for an eternity.”

Dove heard Him whirl around, His cloak making the sound of a bird’s wings. She imagined that He must be facing the People who were gathered below, gazing up at Him. She took another step back. Reaching with her hand, seeking, and finding Lily’s wrist, Dove pulled the girl another step back with her and whispered, “Describe to me what I cannot see, but quietly so that we do not test His patience.”

“Yes, Mistress,” Lily said, pitching her voice low for Dove’s ears alone. “Your Dead Eye is moving to the edge of the balcony.”

Dove’s grip on Lily’s wrist tightened. “Do notevercall Him my Dead Eye again.”

“Y-yes, Mistress. What shall I call him?” Lily whispered.

“My Lord,or whatever He commands. Just not Dead Eye. Never again my Dead Eye. What is He doing now?”

“He has leaped up on the lip of the balcony.”

“My People, today is the first day of your new lives!” The God’s voice was swollen with power. In the silence between His words, Dove could hear the susurrus of those gathered below as their attention turned upward to the man they had first called Dead Eye and then Champion.

“Is His head still covered?” Dove whispered.

“Yes, Mistress,” Lily said quietly. Then, in a puzzled voice, she added, “Mistress, he is turning around, so that his back is to the people.”

“Behold your awakened God!”Death spoke, and then a monstrous bellow filled the world around them, more powerful than a stag—more horrible than an army of men. His roar was that of a God, newly awakened after eons of slumber.

“Oh! Oh, Mistress! He has flung off his cloak and… and…He is so very changed!” Through their joined hands, Dove could feel Lily tremble, even though she gripped her Mistress’s hand as a lifeline.

“I know, Lily. Speak quickly and quietly. Describe Him to me.”

But as Lily’s tremulous voice told her everything, Dove realized she already knew—her hands had already informed her mind of what the rest of the People were just now being called to witness.

She already knew what was under the cloak He’d thrown off. She heard the shocked murmurs rise from below as the People saw that the pelt of the stag had merged with the man.

As He bellowed His inhuman roar to the sky, Dove heard the People’s murmurs change to gasps. She didn’t need Lily to tell her that He had turned to face the watching crowd and revealed the horns growing from the thick fall of mane that had usurped what had once been her beloved’s hair.

“Oh, Mistress! The People can see all of him now. His head—there are horns growing there! And… and his hair has changed as well. It is—It is—” Her words were broken by her frightened sob.

Dove squeezed her Attendant’s hand. “S-s-sh, I know. Control yourself or you will draw His attention.” Dove felt Lily’s head nod in acknowledgment and her other hand lift to press against her mouth, stifling her terrified sobs.

And then, in a voice amplified by dark, divine forces, the Death God spoke.

“My People! Mark my words, for I shall not repeat them. You worshipped me in one form as the Reaper God, and you were so faithful, so true, that I awoke and claimed the body of my Champion! Now, witness my true form! I am the God of Death, risen from the realm of dreams to the mortal realm to lead you, my chosen People, from this vile, poisoned City to a new life, a new world, a new day! Which of you will be true? Which of you will swear your lives to me?”

There was a terrible, stretching silence. Dove knew she must hesitate no longer. Her will to survive propelled her forward on legs that were so numb she feared they would crumble beneath her. When she reached the lip of the balcony, she raised her arm up and up to touch Him.

In a strong, clear voice, Dove proclaimed, “I will be true, my Lord!” She bowed deeply, gracefully, to Him as the voices of the People below buzzed like frightened flies.

The God touched her chin, lifting Dove from her bow. She stood very still, her sightless face turned up to Him, her back straight and proud, her expression as open and as guileless as it had been when she had fabricated visions to placate the old Watchers who used to hold her life in their hands.

“Ah, faithful Dove. You please me, little bird. I give you my oath that when my Consort awakens within you, you will be able to see my glory through the eyes of a Goddess. Would that make you happy?”

“Yes, my Lord,” she lied.

“In return I will be true to you throughout eternity.” Instead of helping her up to the lip of the balcony to stand beside Him, as Dead Eye would have, the Death God turned His back to her, once more addressing the People. “Dove is the first to worship me. Who will be next?”

Dove was shoved out of the way as Iron Fist rushed to take her place. She stumbled and would have fallen had Lily not caught her elbow andrighted her, pulling her to the side as the Reaper exclaimed, “I will worship and be true to You, my Lord! Always!”

“Iron Fist, I accept you and name you The Blade of the God. Henceforth, let the People know that The Blade speaks with his God’s voice.”