Chapter 3 — The Hand Behind the Veil
The hero knelt before the altar, bathed in the false warmth of the Goddess's light.
I stood above him, watching.
The others saw a sacred moment — the anointing of a chosen soul, the weaving of destiny into mortal flesh.
I saw a tool being sharpened.
Eryndor's eyes… too gentle. Too trusting. The kind of eyes that would take the blade meant for someone else and thank you for letting them do it. Admirable, perhaps. Dangerous, certainly.
But still… useful.
The light around the statue dimmed, and I caught the faintest outline of Her gaze within the stone face.
Ah… there you are.
Watching me.
Always watching.
I smiled.
It was not the kind of smile meant for the crowd — I had perfected those long ago, the benevolent curve of lips that gave kings pause and brought entire cities to their knees in prayer. No, this smile was for Her.
Because I know what She hides.
She speaks of light and mercy. But the Goddess has no hesitation when a pawn must be sacrificed.
I learned that early, when I was still a child wrapped in rags, standing outside the Cathedral doors.
I manipulated my way inside before I could even write my name.
By six, I had the Blessing.
By fifteen, I had removed every obstacle in my path — quietly, thoroughly, without witnesses left breathing.
And now… 95% of this world bends the knee at my word.
The people see me as the voice of the Goddess.
They do not understand that the voice… chooses its own words.
Eryndor will serve his purpose. He will battle the shadows in the light, while I carve them apart in the dark. The champion of the so-called "evil god" will fall as so many before him have — under my hand, not the Goddess's.
But this Draevan…
I have heard whispers.
A god who hides.
A god who sends mortal hands to do immortal work.
A god I cannot yet reach.
I turned away from the altar, letting the priests and acolytes crowd around the new hero. Their cheers echoed against the marble pillars. My footsteps were silent
The Goddess and I have an understanding — She blesses my hand, and I make the world kneel for Her.
Her will is my breath, Her light my vision, Her voice my law.
I am not the ruler; I am the instrument.
But if there is another god seeking dominion…
I will not simply oppose Him.
I will hunt Him.
I will strip Him of His power.
I will take His throne, cleanse it of His name, and lay it at the feet of She who reigns eternal.
For the world will not have two sovereign divinities.
There will be one — and Her radiance will swallow every shadow.