The situation was a real chaos. It seems that such word was becoming constant in Cale's life. Only that there was no other that accurately reflected the disorder and conflict he experienced lately.
Cale sat down on the floor, too tired by the impact of the bond and curses. Staring at his twin sister, still in Yvaine's arms, Cale could only feel his heart clenching to see so many bruises. But it was a short breathing motion that brought relief to him.
"She seems to be just unconscious. But we'd better go somewhere safe, my lord."
Releasing the air that was trapped, Cale reached out to gently touch his sister's face.
"The ideal would be to take her to our house. It's a bit far, but at least it's a place where she can feel safe."
"The problem is the big guy. He gets attention like that, but we can't leave him alone."
Mikhal and Cale stared at the huge dragon, which sniffed the air and blinked lost in their instincts.
Ah, right. Aries had lost control when he saw the corrupted egg. But now the egg was under his care, as well as the boy that Guyel seeks. Considering the size of its guardian, it is likely that humans from nearby cities have seen Aries from afar.
That was too flashy.
"He's not going back to his human form, is he?"
"I don't think he can" Yvaine said calmly, still holding Alinys in her arms "I also don't think it's safe for him to stay here any longer."
Cale crossed his arms not knowing what to do. In the end, all the mess came up because of Riteun's request. Now he had a gigantic dragon, a human heretic and a corrupted egg to take care of. All this, and he still had to stay hidden.
What a delight of trouble, hm?
Well, did it matter now? Riteun, a higher god, already knew he was out of exile. He had failed miserably in trying to stay hidden. Then the ideal would be to run away from any superior deity.
For this, you would need to close that order.
"In that case, I will go to the temple again to deliver the egg. You two stay here."
"But my lord..."
Cale looked at Yvaine as she rose from the ground.
"No one will hurt me inside the barrier of Riteun, that's what you said before, right?"
Yvaine looked at him silently, displeased to agree. Finally she nodded, and bowed her head respectfully.
"I will wait for your return, my lord."
Cale nodded and then stared at Linus. The boy was targeted too, and it would be a problem if he stayed. Mikhal and Yvaine needed to take care of Aries and Alinys. The human boy would be just a torment... So Cale took Linus in his arms, and took him with him to Bortoise.
Returning to Bortoise was easy, now that the threat has been completely prevented. The knights of the Temple of the Solar Zenith had the devotees of Guyel under their guard, immobilized and taken to some prison.
Even victorious, the scenario was of regret. The explosions had destroyed much of the festive scenery. Not to mention the numerous bodies covered by a white cloak, stretched in rows in front of the temple. Cale watched around in silence, not having much to feel.
Felt sorry, at the same time not.
"My lord, what will you do now?"
"Let's just talk to Riteun, and then we'll leave" Cale murmured, pulling the hood to cover his face "Hold this egg firmly."
Linus clenched his arms around the egg, firm in his small and important mission. Cale advanced through the wreckage, following the path lined with sorrow and anguish. The feeling was that only disaster followed him.
It was as if he was still stuck inside the World of Chaos of Nuria.
Why the hell would Guyel, the son of chaos, want the egg? Attack during the ascension ceremony was also strange... something bothered Cale.
The Temple of the Solar Zenith was the center of the post-attack reconstruction. The priests and horsemen brought the survivors to the temple, where they distributed blankets and provisions. At the foot of the staircase, Cale raised his head to the figure of Jandiana.
The local goddess did not seem to have finished her ascension, but showed no sign of runaway. When their eyes met, dissatisfaction became clear. It was Jandiana who broke the exchange, giving her back and moving her hand discreetly.
"Humpf, subtle and gentle as a horse" muttered Cale.
He climbed the steps of the temple, ignoring the makeshift encampment around the divine statues. The splendor of Riteun's greatest temple was now almost nonexistent.
How much decadence.
Inside the sanctuary, the heat was golden. Discomfort surrounded Cale again, who quickly put Linus down before his arms gave way. Jandiana said nothing, just let those two enter a central chamber of the temple, and then withdrew.
"Child of the Universe, you returned victorious."
Raising his head, Cale perceived the glass ceiling and circular. The brightness of the sun passed through the glass, illuminating all the sacred space and interior of the temple. Riteun's presence was softer in there, still with some pressure.
"You caused me a big headache with this request. My theiodesmos got completely out of control because of this egg. But here it is."
Cale gave a gentle tap on the shoulder of Linus, who kept holding the egg firmly. The boy took a few steps forward, raising his eyes curiously to the glass ceiling. He looked back, where Cale was watching him with arms folded and attentive, then looked back at the ceiling.
"H-Here... sir."
Linus laid the egg on top, and a beam of light enveloped the egg's corrupted shell. A heat spread with warmth, the ebony seemed to gain a different brightness and less melancholy.
"Wow..." Linus widened his eyes, squeezing the egg in his chest as he felt its warmth "It looks alive."
"Corruption has been cleaned up. The future of a long lost race finally shines."
"Now you can get your egg back, right?" Cale walked up to Linus, about to ask him to return the artifact.
But Riteun's voice resounded again.
"There is no reason for the artifact to remain in our care. Take it with you, child of the universe."
"What?!" Cale frowned, raising his head to the sunroof "Why on earth should I keep an egg with me? I have enough problems to deal with."
"Your guardian will know what to do with the egg."
Clenching his fists, Cale took a deep breath trying to think clearly. He had to treat his twin's wounds, and find a way to make Aries return to his human form. Not to mention Linus...
His head began to thump with so many problems coming. All he wanted was revenge, and now he was doing favors to the gods who threw him into exile?!
Raising his eyes coldly to the top, Cale was categorical.
"What makes you think I will accept your request? For being one of the superiors? I don't care what the hell you want, not after what they did to me."
Silence echoed, yet the presence of Riteun persisted.
As he thought. Cale should not expect anything good from these gods.
"I accept your fury, Child of the Universe. Your judgment has never been fair."
The mere mention of Cale's trial made his blood cold. The fingers clenched even tighter in fist, fueling a growing anger for bitter memories.
"Ha, what beautiful words to come from someone who was passable. Not even when the blood of your people was shed, you left your damned divine throne to come and help. None of you."
"You are still very innocent, child. Therefore, you are worthy to save the future."
Frowning, Cale looked at Linus.
An egg. A heretic... The feeling that they were connected in some way had not yet left him. Cale could only feel exhausted.
"I should take the chance to get rid of you too" Cale muttered "but the Time Keeper did not mention your name as one of the authors of my curses. I will turn a blind eye for now."
Not only was Riteun not involved, but Cale felt he would lose. His ability to absorb vitality wasn't yet mastered. And absorbing a higher deity would not be as easy as he made it look like Jandiana.
Especially when it comes to the god of life.
He should focus on the three responsible for his curses first. It was the mission Cale needed to accomplish.
"I'm tired of being in your presence, and I still have a dragon to look after. If we're done here, I'll leave."
"Returning to the dragon's home is best for both of you to recover. Go, Child of the Universe, and take with you the blessing of the god of life who grants you the title of hero for your help."
Cale had a shock, staring incredulously at the glass ceiling.
"Hero?! Wait a minute, I didn't do it—"
His voice was silent when the beam of light from once covered Cale entirely. The marks on his arms and legs, made by the weaver, vibrated in his flesh. A sting of pain appeared in his chest, forcing his breath.
The harvest of his new title had been a success.
Linus ran to the side of Cale, holding his arm. The demigod breathed deeply, staring at the ceiling but without feeling the divine presence.
"Damn... you only know how to do what you want."
Now, Cale was no longer a demigod, but a sun hero.