Forgotten Fates by SJ Doran

Author:SJ Doran [Doran, SJ]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781989330005
Published: 2019-05-21T22:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER THIRTY

upping the ante

The cacophonous racket of his throne room was going to push him to the brink of insanity. Demon representatives from all the realms clamoured about, talking over one another, shouting to make themselves heard.

Word had gotten out about Levistus’s release and Basileus’s exile.

Anger was simmering to a boil within him.

They dared not accuse him of anything directly. Ironically, he had Amara to thank for that. Being gutted with the Holy Sword had given Cass an air of reverence. Not many would have survived such a wound.

They crowded the bottom steps of his dais, red-faced and speaking among themselves, growing louder, words turning to actions as shoving matches broke out. He stood, walking to the edge of the dais, meeting the eyes of a few of the more vocal demons.

The Herald of the Second approached his throne, belligerence written all over his reddened face.

Cass stood, the floor trembling under his feet, the Herald’s steps faltering.

“SILENCE.” Levistus shouted across the room.

And then there was silence.

Cass resumed his seat, offering Levistus a grin. The demon sat to his right, the seat that was reserved for his herald, Jez sitting in front of him on the top step of the dais, in a silent state of confusion.

“You know,” Cass said, low enough so just Levistus could hear, “I am in need of a Herald.” Every Arch-Deacon had one of their own, a Herald to be their voice when they were unavailable, a right-hand to help them rule their respective realm. It was an oddity that he, as high-ruler over all, hadn’t assigned his own.

Levistus scoffed. “Don’t look to me boy. I’ll act as advisor, I won’t be set under thumb.”

Cass nodded, leaving that thought to ponder at a later time.

“I’ve come to address your concerns,” he spoke loudly, leaning forward in his uncomfortable throne. “I’ll address them all, with four words.”

“I. AM. YOUR. KING.” He shouted, releasing the rage that had been building.

“You are a child!” One of the Herald’s shouted back. “You expect us to show allegiance, you have done nothing to prove yourself, and have unleashed a beast that cannot be controlled,” the demon’s eyes shot over to Levistus then back to Cass.

“Does he need to be controlled?” Cassius spoke softly, venom in his tone.

“You’ve banished Basileus,” another demon spoke up, stepping up beside the other. “What are his alleged crimes? Do you banish us now at your whim?”

Cass glared him down. “His trespasses were personal. I do not answer to you.”

“Who do you answer to then?” The first Herald stood straighter, his chest puffed up.

“I answer to the Nine Hells themselves. The Nessus is mine, in my blood. You dare to question this?”

The Herald sneered. “A boy. With unproven powers.” He turned back to address the crowd and Cass let out a growl.

“You will offer me allegiance or be banished to the pits.” Cass said, jaw clenched.

“Oho. And you would toss us all in the pits?” The Herald turned back. “Who would grovel at your feet when your halls are emptied?”

A wave of dizziness washed over him.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.