Divine Apostasy Book 5 - Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Four hours later, the Elders left, still arguing among themselves. The only people left in the room were the Deepwell residents.

Ruwen’s parents and Tremine stood.

“That group is like herding baby appahs,” Clarysa said.

“You do a fine job, too,” Colyn added.

Ruwen rubbed his temples. “All the good ideas are Rami’s. The details are what kill me.”

Tremine laughed. “You mean like the fifteen-minute argument over whether the shaft to store the oil should be twenty feet wide or twenty-five feet?”

Ruwen groaned. “Seriously! I almost emptied a million gallons into the room just to end my misery.”

Hamma patted Ruwen on the back.

“Their hearts are in the right place,” Niall said. “But their history together slows progress.”

“I don’t know how Mom does it,” Hamma said. “She actually enjoys this stuff.”

Niall turned to Hamma. “Are you coming with me to see her?”

Hamma bit her lip, and Ruwen realized the step tournament had likely complicated whatever plans Hamma had made.

Clarysa broke the awkward silence by speaking to Ruwen. “Your dad and I are headed to Pour Judgement. Swing by when you can.”

Ruwen nodded as his parents left the table.

Tremine followed Ruwen’s parents. “I’ll walk with you. I need a drink after listening to all that.”

The three laughed as the left the building. Silence filled the room and Ruwen lifted and dropped his Overseer’s Cowl a few times, unsure how to begin his discussion with Niall.

“Just for a couple of days,” Niall said. He looked down. “I don’t know if I can face your mom alone. If she’ll believe me.” He looked up with wide eyes. “What if she doesn’t believe me?”

Ruwen couldn’t see Hamma’s face, but her shoulders sank in misery. Ky hadn’t given them the details of their trip yet and Hamma didn’t know if she had two days.

“Niall, do you have a few minutes to talk?” Ruwen asked.

Niall looked up from Hamma and frowned at Ruwen. “I suppose. But I’d like to finish speaking with Hamma first.”

“She’ll come with us,” Ruwen said.

Hamma turned from her dad and faced Ruwen. “Where are we going?”

“Somewhere private,” Ruwen said.

Ruwen reached out to the temple with his mind. Lir?

Yes, Architect Starfield.

Please open a portal from my location to the High Priest’s chapel.

A white ten-foot oval appeared right next to Ruwen, trapping him against the table. Shaking his head, Ruwen stood on his chair, stepped onto the table, and moved past the portal. Lir did exactly what you told him, and Ruwen still didn’t always speak with the precision Lir required.

“What is that?” Niall asked.

Ruwen jumped off the table, leaned back and grabbed his hood. “I recently found out the temple could create these. Although they cost a significant amount of terium, so I usually walk.”

“That wasn’t an answer,” Niall said.

“It’s a portal, Dad,” Hamma said. “It will take us somewhere else instantly.” She looked at Ruwen. “Where does this one go?”

A valid question, since Hamma knew Ruwen, with five gate runes, could take them anywhere in the universe.

“The High Priest’s chapel,” Ruwen said.

“I don’t want to go back to that room,” Niall said.

Ruwen sympathized with Niall. Uru had altered his memories enough that he’d forgotten he had a family. That had allowed him to travel to the third temple and repair the personal revival bath located in the High Priest’s chapel. Paving the way for Ruwen to one day use it.

Niall had died here, and Hamma had grown up without him. Less than a week ago Ruwen had returned Niall’s memories, and seeing the pain Uru had caused made Ruwen’s chest tighten in sadness. Which made the conversation he needed to have even more difficult.

Ruwen dropped his hood into his Void Band and clasped his hands. “I only need a few minutes of your time, but privacy is required, and this is the best option.”

“It’s okay, Dad,” Hamma said.

Niall looked at the portal suspiciously. Thankfully, Sift wasn’t here to fill Niall’s head with doubts.

Hamma stood. “See you in a second.” Then stepped through the portal and disappeared.

Niall jumped to his feet, eyes wide, and then his face turned to worry.

“She’s okay,” Ruwen said.

Niall nodded, and stepped through. His daughter’s safety all it took to overcome his fear.

Ruwen stepped through as well and entered the High Priest’s chapel inside the temple. You can close the portal now, Lir. Thanks.

The portal disappeared and the three of them stood facing each other like three points on a pyramid.

“I’m listening,” Niall said.

Ruwen realized he had no idea how to start this conversation.

Hamma put a hand on Ruwen’s shoulder. “Are you okay?”

Ruwen nodded and gave Hamma a small smile. He faced Niall again. “I need your help.”

“I’ll do what I can,” Niall said.

“I know,” Ruwen said. His throat grew tight with doubt. He couldn’t immediately ask for what he wanted because he knew the response would be an automatic no. If he wanted help, Niall needed more information first.

Niall looked around the room, clearly uncomfortable. “Maybe we should do this another time.”

Ruwen shook his head. Hamma had helped him in this very room with the process of gaining the Architect Role. But even she didn’t know the full extent of what that meant. None of his friends did. But only complete honesty had a chance of convincing Niall to help him.

“Uru wronged you,” Ruwen said. “Regardless of the reasons, the impact to you and your family was catastrophic. I understand completely why you don’t want to serve her anymore.”

Ruwen let out a deep breath. “The quests you and my parents had were to clear the way for me. I can’t go into all the specifics, but Uru’s plans started a long time ago, and you weren’t the only one severely affected by them.”

Niall frowned. “It doesn’t surprise me that Uru callously ruined the lives of others as well.”

Ruwen shook his head. “I don’t know anything about that, but I do know Uru suffered as well.”

Hamma smiled in disbelief. “How does a deity suffer?”

“I need you both to swear you’ll never reveal what I’m about to tell you,” Ruwen said.

Hamma and Niall both frowned.

“I swear it,” Hamma said.

Niall quickly followed. “I swear as well.”

The words didn’t want to come. Ruwen had never spoken them out loud before but knew the time had come. “Uru gave up her divine authority. Gave up the power the Universe rewarded her with when she crossed the threshold of divinity. Gave up everything, like some sort of divine apostasy.” He paused for a moment. “She gave it all to me.”

“What?” Niall asked.

Hamma’s eyes widened. “The Architect Role?”

Ruwen nodded.

“What is that?” Niall asked.

“That’s hard to explain,” Ruwen said. “It looks like a backdoor into controlling and observing the universe. All the deities have it.”

“She’s not a goddess anymore?” Niall asked.

“Her body is and she’s still a divine harvester. But she no longer has the mandate, or the power, the Universe granted her.”

“Does that make you a god?” Niall asked.

Ruwen shook his head. “I have the ability, but my body isn’t strong enough to wield it yet. It’s like I have the keys to unlock the door but can’t walk through. I’ve been peering through the windows a little though.”

“Doesn’t that put us all in danger?” Hamma said. “Won’t the other deities take advantage of your weakness?”

Ruwen shrugged. “Uru is still powerful, and the Pact between the deities protects her people.”

“You mean ‘your people’ don’t you?” Niall asked.

Ruwen sighed. “Yes. Which is why I told you all this. Technically, you don’t serve Uru as a Priest anymore. You serve me.”

Niall shook his head. “This is all ridiculous.”

“I know,” Ruwen said. He glanced at the cloth covered display that Uru used to speak with her High Priests. He looked at Niall. “Why don’t you look at the ‘Words of Uru’ and see for yourself.”

Niall strode to the display and gently lifted the veil covering it.

Lir, please add the following text to the display in the High Priest’s chapel in New Eiru: I know this is hard to believe, Niall, but I’m in charge. And without good people to help, I will fail. I’m begging you to help me.

Ruwen watched Niall read the text and saw his shoulders slump.

Niall turned to Ruwen. “What do you want from me?”

“I want you to become the High Priest of New Eiru. I want you to speak with my voice when I’m away and help integrate New Eiru with the rest of Uru’s lands.”

“Uru’s lands?” Niall asked.

“Uru will remain the figurehead. The temples run the day-to-day aspects of the country. Knowing the truth will only cause panic and uncertainty.”

Niall looked down for a few seconds. “What about my wife?”

Ruwen glanced at Hamma and then back at Niall. “I want to bring her here and put her on the Elder Council. That group needs a seventh to act as a tiebreaker as well as someone to help transition them into the present.”

“Bring Mom here?” Hamma asked.

Ruwen faced Hamma. “I’m sorry for not bringing it up earlier. I thought I had more time. It’s not just about helping New Eiru. You’ve been seen with me multiple times, and our enemies will have your description, maybe even your name. I’m also worried for her safety if she remains in Deepwell.”

Ruwen’s stomach turned as Hamma’s face turned to worry. His life was like a giant vortex, sucking everyone who got too near into his problems.

“I’m sorry, Hamma,” Ruwen said.

Hamma shook her head. “Don’t be. I’m responsible for my choices. I’m ashamed I never considered Mom’s safety.”

Hamma’s words made Ruwen feel better, and he turned back to Niall. “Even if you don’t want the High Priest position, I think you both should live here in New Eiru. Things are only going to get more dangerous, and your daughter is one of the pillars our success depends on.”

Niall looked like he’d taken a sword to the stomach. After thirty seconds of silence, he focused on Hamma. “What do you think?”

“I’ll support you either way, Dad. Ruwen isn’t joking about the danger though. It hasn’t stopped since I met him.”

Niall remained quiet for another twenty seconds and then looked up at Ruwen. “I’ll temporarily accept on two conditions.”

Ruwen nodded, hope worming its way through his anxiety. “I want to see Elyse, tell her what happened, and then assuming she can forgive me, we’ll decide together.”

“That is fair,” Ruwen said.

Niall looked at Hamma. “And I want Hamma to come with me. I don’t think I’m strong enough to do this alone.”

Hamma’s face fell, as the desire to help her dad and see her mom warred with aiding Ruwen and her friends.

Ruwen put a hand on Hamma’s shoulder. “I swear to you we won’t go to the tournament without you.”

Hamma’s shoulders relaxed, and she hugged Ruwen. “Thank you.”

Hamma let go of Ruwen and he stepped up to Niall. “With Hamma’s agreement, I accept your terms.”

There was probably a fancy ceremony the Order Class had whenever they raised a new High Priest, but Ruwen didn’t want to waste time searching for that. It felt wrong to not say something though, so he did the best he could.

Ruwen raised his hands over Niall’s head. “Niall Blakrock, do you agree to conditionally assume the position of Chief High Priest, manage the temple in New Eiru, and shepherd the people protected by its blessing? And furthermore, do you pledge to be fair, and work in good faith with, the Cultivators to the west and the dungeon to the north? Lastly, do you swear to keep honesty and integrity close to your heart, and never do anything to harm this temple or the lands it guards?”

Niall bowed his head. “I swear it.”

The sound of waves crashing echoed off the walls and a wind, smelling like the sea, swirled through the room. Ruwen squeezed his eyes shut as a blinding white light suddenly appeared. When he opened them, he found Uru standing to his right.