17. Kami

17

Kami

" T his is the event we've been waiting for!" the priest at the pulpit cries. "Beyrthnel speaks!"

"I guess he doesn't always yammer with a full crowd," Crash says with a snort. "Big fuckin' deal. Gods can die, just like people."

Wow. I'm not the only one here who's not a fan of deities.

"That's true," Malkar agrees. Something sparks in his eyes that has me edging closer to Oz. "I wonder if he will manifest this year."

"He'll try," Oz says. "His people have been trying to bring him back for decades. Apparently, he's not allowed to come back."

"None of the gods are," Crash says. "This plane can't tolerate all their magic."

"Yes, it can. We just can't tolerate all their bullshit. They came back a long time ago and nearly ruined everything," Ries says. "They're not allowed back."

I turn to him. "How do you know? "

"Because that's what my grandfather once told me. He was one of Neptune's clerics and had regular talks with the guy."

"Neptune, huh?" Malkar eyes Ries with curiosity. "Ever talk to ?gir or Rán?"

"No. But Abzu and Belisama used to get chatty with my grandfather." Ries looks speculative. "I haven't talked to that old man in years. I wonder what he's up to now?"

That's a story we'll have to save for another day, because shit is happening now.

I'm still wondering if I heard what I think I heard.

The congregation is beside themselves bowing to their god. Even the monarch and his demon are on one knee in supplication.

All of us tributes are still standing.

I refuse to bow for some godly idiot worshipped by mortal idiots who want my death to further his idiotic agenda.

The god's face slowly fades until it's just stone once more.

I hear snippets of excitement.

"Our great god spoke! And not through his war priests. Our time has come!"

"Yes, this is the sign. Finally! My prayers are answered."

"Make sure to let our people know throughout the west. It's happening," Rilitar says, so I know something big is going down.

This chatter isn't just excitement from random believers.

More people exclaim, "It's time for the resurrection."

"Ready the troops."

"We're finally ready to rise and take over this pathetic world."

I meet Oz's gaze, and he looks as bothered as I am.

These people aren't just worshipping an old god for kicks. His return is sparking a rebellion to overtake…the world?

I missed the monarch, but I did get a good look at his demon—a tall, thin creature of androgynous appearance, red skin, and white claws, eyes, and hair. He has a tail and wings and looks frightening, to say the least.

Rumor has it the demon of Sacred Lakes has a taste for flesh and blood.

Not a big surprise, but the other rumor is that he won't eat anything dead. Only live prey will do.

I'm not complaining when we're all shuffled outside and corralled toward large wagons that drive us to the arena.

The place is huge, like, gigantic. Bigger than any building I've ever seen, and I've traveled a lot in my twenty years.

The arena is a circular stadium with tall, white stone walls that reach up higher than any kraken or giant. At least fifty orcs tall. That's big in my book.

Inside, we're treated to a grand, circular, grassy field. High above us are seating for those who are filling up the stadium as we speak.

That's a lot of spectators.

A lot of fae who plan to take over the world.

I clear my throat. "I thought this place was supposed to be over water."

Ries frowns. "It is. This is the general arena, but there's a tunnel that leads to the water of Lake Divine."

"I don't understand."

Oz rubs his head. "There are a ton of battles we'll have to get through before we get to the end, which is one massive fucking brawl." Something he mentioned last night, but I'm glad for the reminder. I've been so spacey lately I'm having a tough time remembering things.

"Until then," Oz continues, "we'll be fighting in sand, forests, water. Whatever they want."

Ries nods. "Probably mages shifting our realities."

Malkar snorts. "Glory to Beyrthnel in all our bloody deaths, I'm sure."

"This sucks." Crash sighs. "I could hold my own, magically, if we could get rid of these binding marks." He rubs at the spell on his arm.

"Well, obviously." Malkar gives him a dismissive look. "The whole point is to see who's strongest without their magic. It's a decent game if you're not forced to play."

"You would think that," Crash mutters.

Malkar ignores him. "I have a feeling at some point they'll let us use our magic again. Maybe in the final battle. If I was running this thing, I would. Think how exciting it will be to watch us kill each other with more than fists and fangs, but with spells and curses." His eyes light up.

I'm aware that I've been heading this way for days. But now that we're close to starting this stupid competition to see who lives and dies, I can't stop shaking.

Oz notices, but it's Ries who drags me into a hug.

"Don't worry, little dryad. We'll protect you." He makes a muscle, and I'm shocked to see him looking a lot more muscular than he was even a day ago. "We have a deal."

Oz snorts. "Puny merman."

"Hey."

Malkar rolls his eyes. "Yes, yes, you're both so strong. I'm sure Kami's heart is going pitter patter." He looks at me. "Don't fear the beginning, at least. I'm well-fed." His eyes blaze, and something ancient stares out at me.

"See? That. " Crash shoves him back. "What the fuck are you?"

"I'm your owner, little fae. "

Crash's cheeks redden. " Little? You pretentious, arrogant asshole. I should have killed you when I had the chance."

Malkar laughs. "As if you could."

"Uh, guys?" I poke Oz, alerting him to the guards bearing down on us. "Quiet down."

"No. Fuck you, demon." Crash punches Malkar hard in the stomach, so fast that Malkar is bent over and wheezing before I realize what's happened. "That's for making me pass out last night. Dickhead. Try that again. I dare you."

Malkar straightens, but before he can retort, the guards zap him and Crash.

The pair seize on the ground.

"Anyone else?"

I don't recognize these three fae, but I know the sight of malicious intent.

I drag Oz and Ries back, standing behind our downed comrades.

"No," I squeak, sounding meek. "Sorry. We're all just scared."

The fae guard closest to me stares at my breasts. Sadly, there's no ignoring them in this skimpy top. "You should be scared. You're going to die in there, dryad. But if you're lucky, you'll go quick."

He nods to the others, and the guards go back to rounding up the rest of the tributes.

Oz and Ries look at each other then at Crash and Malkar.

As one, they sigh then pick the guys up, shouldering their heavy bodies with ease.

"This way," Oz says, and we follow the line of tributes. Behind us, other groups have entered.

Likely, they are from the other lakes, as they are in the red and white colors of the Asrai and green and purple of Godtown .

I hear a few shouts as someone points to Ries.

"Huh?" The merman frowns in confusion and tilts his head. Then his eyes widen, and he looks at a knocked-out Crash over his shoulder. "Seriously?"

"What?"

Ries sneers at Crash and dumps the groggy fae on the ground. "This fucker, Firefly, used to run Godtown. We've got actual royalty on our side, lady and gents."

I blink. "Him?"

Crash is slowly getting to his feet.

Oz nods. "Yeah. I was surprised when I saw him in the dungeon, though I shouldn't have been. Crash was making moves on Asrai, and he would have made a move on Lancer sooner or later. Rilitar knew it. Just wanted to see how far Crash might get before taking him out."

Oz pauses before adding, "So now not only does everyone have a hardon for our dryad, a third of the tributes will want to kill our fire mage."

Ries frowns. "He wasn't too popular in Godtown, I take it?"

"No." Oz sighs. "Everyone hated him. I'm thinking our little crew has got some big problems ahead of us."

"This just keeps getting better," Ries mutters. "But don't worry, Kami. I pledged protection. I'll give it." He leans closer. "I need to recharge regularly."

Oz raises a brow. "Yeah? We all made a pact. The rest of us haven't yet gotten a turn." He looks me over with a salacious grin. "If I'm going to die, it's not gonna happen before I've gotten a taste of more than a shiny apple."

I flush. So much for thinking he wanted to protect me out of some bonding through my fruit. "Stop talking."

He chuckles. "You are so cute."

"Hey, guys, get your freak on later." Malkar has roused and pushes off Oz's shoulder. "Because it looks like round one is about to begin."

He points to the dark portal that's opened up in front of us.

There is nothing visible, but the things hissing inside it don't inspire confidence.

Then the ground vanishes, and the hissing grows louder as I'm falling into a dark pit.

And slide right into something's mouth.