Page 81 of The Gods Order

“Well,” he says quietly, clearing his throat. “In our fathers’ eyes, you were.”

I shake my head.

“By then, the wrongness was starting to settle in my mind. I wanted to fight it. But I didn’t. I obeyed. Then I smiled gratefully when my father told me Hellveilious was mine.”

I swallow.

“If he hadn’t had Vihaan on his knees, wrapped in his power—”

“Then what?” Sevryn cuts in. “You think he would’ve fought the God of Obliteration? Killed you? Come on, Creed.”

“I’m serious. None of it would’ve happened that way if my father made us truly face each other.”

“It would’ve gone the same,” he scoffs. “Vihaan was trapped. Killing you would’ve meant his own death too. There has to be a God of Death.”

I cut my eyes at him but say nothing.

He sighs.

“I hope you didn’t drag me here to apologize for killing an uncle I never knew about. You know I don’t hold that against you.”

“Yeah, because you’re so emotionally stable nowadays.”

“Ha. You’re hilarious. Seriously, though. What are we doing here?”

“I just—”

My words stop as my own voice echoes through the sacred space.

I inhale slowly and face him.

“I want to pay my respects and apologize. If you don’t want to be here, go back to the door. It’ll let you pass.”

“So this isn’t some weird ploy to make me accept Gladian?”

My face scrunches.

“What? No. I don’t care if you accept him. This annoying need to come here started after he told us his story. I want it gone.”

He studies me, then nods down the path.

Our silent steps carry us farther into the Crypt and we both observe the many tombstones we pass. Despite the weight of death, this place doesn’t feel cruel. At least it doesn’t to me. It feels still.

Peaceful in the way abandoned temples are peaceful. Like a place built for endings that had long ago come to terms with grief. Even the air carries something strangely comforting. There are no screams echoing here. No torment waiting in the shadows.

Only rest.

I don’t know exactly who the gods laid to rest here are, but the first time Faron brought me here, he explained that it was all those who took care of Hell before him and before Vihaan.

As far as history goes, Vihaan was the first official God of Death. Those before him didn’t wield the power like he or I do, but they had some range of abilities that allowed them to manipulate souls. It’s my understanding that when he came along, with the undeniable power of Death, it shifted not only Hellveilious but the way of the realm.

At least that’s how Amick explained it to me. He claims that when a power that prominent is poured into the system, it becomes too intricate to eliminate.

Now, there always needs to be a God of Death.

Also, according to him, it’s best to only have one so the system isn’t shifted even more.

Sevryn’s low whistle pulls me from my thoughts, and I flick my gaze up as our steps slow. Before us, Vihaan’s massive, chiseled statue stands proudly behind the large sarcophagus that holds his remains.