The Grove(122)

“There is an old saying from my world in regard to certain belief systems,” the queen of Nightfall continued.

On my world? She’s an outworlder? She’s the outworlder on throne? A subtle hush from Kata made her quell her thoughts.

“‘As above, so below,’” Kelly recited. “And it meant that Heaven and Earth should be aligned in how they behave. Mortals are encouraged to behave in good ways. In turn, Heaven is supposed to be the ultimate definition and repository of good. But in this world, that saying works both ways. As below, so above. What we believe, You become,” she stressed, looking at the Gods before her. “Broger and his son Barol both died as a consequence of their crimes, the attempt to steal the powers of others for their own use and purpose.”

Gods—more anathema! Magic was inherent in people; most had only a little, some had more, and a rare few had a lot, but that was just what a person was handed in life, and you had to deal with your lot, just as you had to deal with a snub nose or a pointy one, red hair or brown, long legs or short ones. She hushed herself before Kata or Jinga could, fingers clinging to the edge of her bench as she waited to hear more.

“They killed or intended to kill others, and they died for their murderous crimes.” Squaring her shoulders, Kelly pronounced her judgment as Arbiter of the Convocation. “Thus it is only fitting that Mekha suffer the same fate. He is not a Patron Deity . . .”

She felt it. Saleria felt all the Gods and Goddesses in the chamber wrapping Their will around the God of Engineering, stifling His powers.

“. . . and he is not a God.” Kelly stated grimly. “He is nothing more than a magically enhanced, murderous thief. A bully, beating up whomever he can find for the magical equivalent of lunch money.”

A bully indeed, Saleria silently agreed. Then blinked, mind reeling, as Kelly continued. Their hostess outlined how Mekha should be stripped of all power, and that energy purified and given back to the people of Mekhana, who had suffered most under His rule, because He . . . or rather, he . . . was not a living being? Her jaw dropped again. It was true that Saleria didn’t think that Kata and Jinga needed to eat, breathe, or sleep like mere mortals, but . . . to not consider a God a being? Yes, They were manifestations of the group will and belief of Their worshippers, but . . .

. . . It was done. As she watched, each of the Gods and Goddesses raised one hand. Mekha, diminished in stature and eminence by the Arbiter’s words, by her mortal judgment . . . dissolved and faded. Leaving Saleria with the echo of Kelly’s last words tumbling through her mind.

They’ll have a rough time figuring out what to do with themselves, and who or what to worship next, but at least they’ll finally be free to try . . . ? Oh Gods, those poor Mekhanans . . . The horror of what they must have endured all this while struck her. Raised in the Katani Empire, where the strongest of mages often took up positions of power in the government, and where any young girl or boy could dream of developing enough magical power in puberty to one day contend for the throne of the empire and be its sovereign king or queen . . . It was unspeakable, what those poor Mekhanans must have endured, living in fear of their so-called God finding out some of them had magic and sucking it out of them, just to selfishly keep himself alive.

She could feel Jinga’s arms enfolding her soul, lending comfort to her in her distress. (It’s alright . . . They will find their way soon enough.)

(You have your own thoughts to gather,) Kata added. (For you will soon have your chance to speak the will and the wishes of Katan. Not only to Us—who have heard them every single day, prayed to Us by you and the other Keepers—but to all the Gods of this world. Make sure your requests are worthy ones. You will have a lot of power to back any changes you would have Us make, if We agree they are worth being made.)

(Don’t think you have to present them right away, either,) Jinga added, as their hostess strove to come up with a suitable symbol for the Convocation. (We will be here for several days, and you may make requests of Us at any point in time. This Convocation . . . will not be the most organized of sessions,) He added, a touch of amusement coloring His thoughts. (But it will continue to be interesting.)

I’ve no doubt, she thought back at Him, a bit dazed still at having seen a God stripped of power and dissolved back into the aether. A moment later, she sharpened her focus on what was being done and said outside of her head. . . . Chocolate? What exactly is this “chocolate” thing Queen Kelly mentions?

This time, it was Kata who chuckled. (Did you not hear her? She claims it’s the food of the Gods!)