Tales from the Otherworlds by unknow

Author:unknow
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Bandele Books

Sacrifice

The Life Force of a deity was the strongest power of all. Named the Spiral of Life, it was a never-ending energy that, no matter how long you pulled at it, would never end. It could give life, it could take life, and it would sustain all those blessed by it. The force of the Wild was stronger than anything. No matter how ruined a land became, the Wild would heal it. Cernunnos had to believe that. So, when he dug deep into his core, pulling at the spiral’s edge within him, he knew what he would be doing.

He just didn’t know how painful it would be.

As the shield burst from him, he could feel his spiral’s thread of protection tighten around his heart, cutting him as he unwound it. The poison in this land was pushing back hard, trying to force him to retreat and allow the smog to consume them all. He kept his eyes tightly closed to stop himself from screaming as he fought back. The only sign that what he was doing was working came from the sound of the birds as their wings flapped sluggishly away. Cernunnos could only hope that the other animals were following suit.

But Gaian and Fey had not moved.

Opening his eyes briefly, he took in his two companions who lay at his side, heads bowed towards him. With the smog and poison that laid waste to the land pushed back, the black sludge that had covered Fey receded and the scales of Gaian’s skin had returned. Still, they did not leave.

“Go, my friends,” Cernunnos commanded as he felt another stab to his heart from the poison. “We only have so much—”

It is then that he felt it. The thread of their own spirals of life pushing into his own, helping him to sustain the pressure of the dying land. Theirs wasn’t as strong as his. Their immortal forms were limited compared to a deity. They would die if they kept helping. And he couldn’t have them die for him.

Pushing back, Cernunnos held onto the fading light of his own, praying he would have enough for a few more seconds.

My Lord! Gaian’s panicked voice came into his mind. You will die if you go on like this.

Cernunnos felt another stab to his heart as the tears grew wider. Gritting his teeth, he pushed back, giving as much of his life to hold back the smog. If he gave enough power, maybe, just maybe, the seal that held this land away from the mortal realm would heal. Even if only just a little.

“Gods do not die”… He ground out, scrunching his eyes tighter.

“But a God can fade,” a woman’s voice said, echoing around the Lord of the Wild’s shivering body.

The Banshee had made it through the barrier and to Cernunnos’s side. Though he couldn’t see her, barely able to summon the strength to open his aching eyes, he could sense the aura of death.

“Is… it… done?” Cernunnos asked through his teeth.

“Your creatures are safe, my Lord.

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