Book 7, Chapter 43 - A New Action (2/2)

“You should have noticed that when the gods seed a planet, they bury a ship deep within the earth. That is where new gods are created. That is precisely the evidence we require.”

Cloudhawk immediately understood. Thinking back he remembered what he saw – that the gods don’t ‘reproduce’ in the typical sense. When they find a civilized planet they obliterate the species that inhabit it. Then once the bulk of their troops leave they left one ship behind, buried underground. Thousands of years later it emerged like a weed, spewing new gods and ships out into the universe.

It was probably how that underground facility in the jungle planet got there in the first place. If he could find where this ‘seed’ was located on their planet, the godly invasion of their world would no longer be a secret. The delusions people clung to would be shattered.

Of course they couldn’t discount the fact that there would be some who would never be swayed. They would follow the gods because of a perceived time of peace – what they imagined was a bloodless alternative. But there were plenty of others who would see this proof for what it was and would choose to stand on Cloudhawk’s side.

“Not bad. The question then is, where is this base?”

It’d been over a thousand years since the gods arrived. No one in the Elysian lands had any clue where the seed was hidden. Where were they even supposed to start looking?

But Cloudhawk came up with a solution quickly. “Can the Cloud or Shepherd God help us?”

Wolfblade opened his mouth to answer but was cut off.

“There are large gaps in what we remember,” the Shepherd God replied. “We don’t know where the seed is located.”

That was strange. From what the crystals revealed, the gods were a huge force that spanned the galaxy. They should have a memory spanning eons. But in reality no one – not the Cloud God, the Shepherd God, the other Supremes or any demons – could remember what happened. Their memories started only after they arrived here.

The secret to their species’ history and beginnings was a mystery. All that was left in their minds was a deeply ingrained servitude and loyalty, even though they didn’t know why. It was almost worth Cloudhawk’s pity. These creatures were complex, with too many anomalies and unanswered questions.

At a loss, Cloudhawk pressed for guidance. “So how are we supposed to find it?”

“I may not know its location, but there is one who certainly does.”

“Who?”

“Belial, of course.”

This didn’t answer any of Cloudhawk’s questions. “Him? How?”

“Belial has spent centuries trying to escape his identity. As a result he knows more about it than any other god or demon. So long as he remains here he knows he will never escape his true self. Not unless… he escapes this planet.”

“So all this time he’s been hiding his identity while looking for the god ship. He wants to use it to get out of here.”

“Just so.”

With this information in hand, Cloudhawk left the chamber. On his way out of the Temple he passed the prisons. Many strong and important Elysians slipped by his peripheral vision, tied down with vines. Some were close enough to have heard their conversation and watched him go with conflicted looks.

“Cloudhawk. Cloudhawk!”

A green-clad figure rushed over to him. Her appearance took him by surprise. “Autumn?”

She beamed a sweet smile at him. “I hear Belial has the strength of a Supreme and is a talented artisan. After hundreds of years you can be sure he’s been preparing himself. I’m afraid you won’t be able to handle him yourself. Let me come with you.

There were two others behind her. One was the bearer of the reformed relic Ashfall, Frost de Winter. The other was the bearer of the Gospel of Sands, Abaddon. Without question they were sent after him at Wolfblade’s command.

Cloudhawk looked them over in silence for a moment. “Let’s go.”

Space rippled around them and in the blink of an eye, they were gone.

1. Remember that Meadow is the name of the Shepherd God’s former Elysian Land. Oakstead is its capital.