Chapter 108

Oliver

The section on the Master was… graphic to say the least. All the stories of him seemed to hold two common truths though, I knew as a Council Member… I would Have to one day meet this fallen, full-blooded god:

Do not cheat him.

Do not Anger him.

For those who held no favor, he vaporized them, a quick death… but for those who were dumb enough to try and trick or challenge... they Suffered... The depiction of his 10 foot wooden statue claimed to be to scale, along with the enormous blue monster he rode. That was the Demigod of Death, his brother.

The twisted grin of malice on his face as he threw down realistic looking lightning showed that they paid a lot of money to make sure to get the point across. He was the King that my King must answer to, and to us, we were entertainment, food, or gold coin piggy banks….

“Thank you for not leaving Oliver; I never knew any of the old stories.” She said holding my hand tightly.

We silently walked down the displays of his other generals, but at the end a middle-aged human stood at the end, where the entrance to the butterfly garden was. That was the big surprise I wanted to share with her, as that was in the middle of the tree.

“My my, youth in my gallery.” Said a man who looked about 50. By his wording I wondered was he the creature who ran this place. He stood 10 tall with white hair, and blazing yellow eyes that looked into your soul. He wore no shirt, and had on a robe that dangled off him like it was wrapped loosely if not for a thick leather belt. He was barefoot, brandishing a spear on his left hand as longer than I was tall, and a shield as big around as a small table.

“This place is so full and lifelike… even though I must admit a little surreal.” I mumbled.

“I’m surprised that you didn’t complain about the displays. Well, you are a Council Seat, regardless to how young you two are. I shouldn’t be so swift to assume.” He said thinking out loud. He stood scratching the white stubble on his chin with white claws.

“…. How do you know so much about us?” I Asked. I figured he was the curator, the winged mortal who was the protector of this place.

“I am Naztakaar the Timeless One, Head Secret Keeper, son of the Lord of Time Chroviel.” He said with a soft smile. “My job is run this place.” He motioned the museum. “Come, rest your weary eyes with something pleasant.” He motioned.

“Alright.” Both of us said almost at the same time.

“Forgive me in advance; I know it is your honeymoon, but this will be the only time I will come in direct contact with you two. So while you enjoy this space, I will share answers to any questions you may have.” He said losing his smile, but I knew from his demeanor that he held heavy secrets.

We followed the Timeless One, who even though he was mortal, was still a full head and shoulders taller than me. Under the archway, the brightness slightly blinded me, but I could see within this magical place was the lush botanical garden. There were many wonders, all of which impressed Autumn, and I would make a note to visit this place again one day.

“It’s beautiful.” She whispered, and I nodded in agreement, slightly speechless.

The crystalline glass butterflies fluttered around and glowing flowers complimented the clear gem spring in the middle of the gilded, blue rose filled meadow. We walked on white marble steppingstones as he cleared his throat.

“In this place, time moves slower than outside the Tree, so feel free to spend as many days here as you like. 24 hours here is 24 minutes outside.” He said with a soft smile, and we continued to follow him. He was leading us to one of the seating areas. “This place was cultivated by me and the Battle Bull. Pray you never meet him. He’s calmed down substantially since last I’ve seen him, but I wouldn’t get on his bad side.” He warned.

“Trust me, I have no intention of dealing with a minotaur.” I mumbled.

“I suppose you also wish to hear the story I speak of, or do you have another in mind?” He asked motioning us to sit on the semicircular bench, and he sat on the other side across from us.

“…. Actually… I do, but not of the Bull.” I said scratching my chin. “What do you know of Xaxas, the Ruling One?” I asked. “Surely what’s on display is not all of it.” I said referring to the fact that he only had the one scene depicted of him.

“It is Not.” He said sternly. “You two must swear in Blood to Never to mention what you have learned here about anything you’ve seen. All who Need to know already do.” He said firmly. “Well… except you young ones.” He admitted.

“That sounds like a fair price, but I must explain the gravity of such an oath.” I said looking at her in her sparkling eyes. She was ignorant to blood oaths true weight, that much I knew. “To swear on your blood is to swear upon your very soul. To break it is probably the fastest ticket to Hell you can purchase.” I warned.

She allowed me to continue.

“To oath is More than Just your word… you stake your Being, your whole existence into what you say. If you break it, even if the other person never finds out, you are still an Oath Breaker.”

She nodded, but I could feel that she didn’t really grasp the danger to this. “Because she was raised mortal, I humbly request that she not do this, as she will never be able to take such a thing as seriously as one raised knowing this.” I said to defend her…

“I can-” I cut her off.

“Even to break it by accident Still counts. If it is information we were meant to know, we would already know it.” I said seeing her eyes become downcast, feel a little down that I could not trust her. “It isn’t that I don’t trust your Autumn… It’s that I value you too much to risk you….” I mumbled.

She was a wolf no matter how small…. I could not risk that… I would not risk her soul for information….

“…. You both intrigue me.” He said looking down on us as if we were small children. His arms were crossed, and for only a moment I could feel how Much stronger he was than me. “I will tell you what I know… but if you blab, I will have both your hides, and you will be specimens in your own exhibit.” He sneered.

East whined in my head, and it took all I had not to whine with him.

It seemed in my short life, I have come in contact with impossible fairy tale men and women who I thought only stories, and he was definitely one of them.

“I can agree to that.” Said my mate firmly.

“If she is sure, then I will respect that.” I said holding her hand.

“It is noble that you worry for her afterlife Dead One…. the Destroyer is a full god, though he is cursed to forever live incased in normal, mortal flesh. He is older than me… older than even some of the other gods of this world… he is a High God, the Third Seat of the Pantheon.”

“I thought there were Four?” I questioned.

“Aye, but the Forth is cursed as well.” He said waving his hand in the air, and a magical vision appeared in its trail so we could watch as he spoke. “The God of Judgment sees this world as his plaything. The God of Creation, Arviel, imprisoned his parents, the God of Hell, and the Moon Goddess….”

He paused, and he would not show us Why he did.

I’d spoken to Council members that did the same…. It seemed there as a psychological toll on the mind as much as there was a physical one. Some had wounds that would not heal… others had seen the war in it’s glory, and would not speak of it.

The Second Seat told me the he shaved his head because of the Steed of the Master…. He melted him to the bone, and the smell of burned, rotted hair is why he would not let it grow again. The one blessed with eternal reviving life, Augustus the Seventh Seat, refuses to speak of anything beyond recent times…. I could never imagine the things they had to endure.

The records given to me as a pureblood in a well off, noble family gave me access to the old stories. Ones up until recently that I thought were Just legends, yet I have had that spat in my face. I sit in a place most think of as imaginary. I sit in a room told to children as fairy tales and legend.

“You are correct… I pause because the man I speak of is feared by even the gods… only Two could best him, and one is his father…” He said silently. “His wrath was So Great, that his sins were even erased partially from his mind, but as the First Mortal Ever Made…. I have seen the ebb and flow of multiple worlds…. Multiple realities… multiple planets… but none compares to his power…. Should he Truly wield it… Nothing would be left. The gods may as well start over.”

I doubted his words…. But I knew they were true. Someone who felt stronger than the wolf king… a man who made me want to vomit stood before me, afraid of a man who I thought was only a legend.

“I know it’s our honeymoon, but I won’t mind if you go into detail. I find this a gift to know as much as I feel like I won’t like it.” Said Autumn.

He smiled. “Then for your sake, I will endure memories that I cared not to remember. Let it be known that you are about to hear knowledge of a being that even one Tasked with Recording All Time Refuses to Acknowledge or Remember…” He said waving his hand, and the coffee haired horned male, appeared in greater detail.