CHAPTER 2: A PROCLAMATION OF WAR

It was indeed something to behold, it stood as a testament of authority and seat of power for the Collective. The last time she had stood within its halls she was what the Goddesses of old called a new creature. A Celestial who still possessed some form of innocence and small power among beings whose prowess she wouldn't dare challenge. There had been those who did indeed try, they had either been banished or worse. She had made sure that she would never join their numbers, and rightly so. She knew that her sisters would one need her leadership and divine wisdom to one day challenge the Collective and bring justice upon them. Maybe, just maybe that day had come.

Virdenasha the leader of the Council of Goddesses and Supreme Ruler of the Four Kingdoms sat in her seat within the Hall of the Ancients. Here she had aided in the governing of Paradia and led the Goddesses for many millennia. It was here only hours ago that she had learned of Viennashal Iminz and Lord Asjuntar's secret union and child that had been born years ago. She kept the shock of it all within. If the rest of her sisters saw how distraught she was then it would cause them to also be distracted and possibly act out of character. No, she had remained at peace and needed maintain order. It was bad enough that the Collective was also within the halls among them, plotting against them as per usual. They would no doubt use this against the Council and try to instigate something or worse.

What Virdenasha was troubled by the most was that she hadn't been able to sense this child or that Viennashal was married to a Lord of the Collective. It wasn't treason, nor was it forbidden, it just wasn't done and had never been done. The God's had sought the destruction of the Goddesses for eons and now with this new knowledge they might have a just reason to go to war. It was clearly defined within the Constitution of the Realm that any Lord who married a God be banished from the Collective. It also stated that any Goddess who wed a Lord and birthed a child whose lineage was of another realm be stripped of their title and removed from power. That latter reason alone is what had Virdenasha troubled beyond belief.

Viennashal wasn't a Celestial, she was of human origin and had been given powers of the Goddesses. What made matters worse was that her sisters had done so in secret and didn't inform her until after the deed was done. It was also irreversible and could not be changed. Once a female Celestial was made a Goddess, she remained a Goddess forever until she either was killed or handed over her power to another, even then she was still a Goddess but had no authority except in times of war. And she knew that her sisters would never allow or vote to remove Viennashal from power. She was a member of the Council and High Ruler of Galaxia Prime. It wouldn't be a good idea to make that call.

She allowed herself a moment to breathe as she noticed the rest of the Council members began to make their way into the chamber. She noticed that Viennashal was among their numbers. She quietly walked to her seat and sat down. She could see fear written across her face. She closed her eyes and peered into Viennashal's soul and caught a glimpse of images of a young girl who she quickly assumed was the child she had heard so much about. She noticed that this child was identical to Viennashal in almost every way.

"She is safe, far from the grasp of them." Viennashal said motioning towards the chamber doors where the Collective was.

Virdenasha suddenly realized that the young Goddess was able to feel her inner gaze and knew that the power she held within her was great than she had originally thought. Not many could instantly sense another's inner probing and rightly judge its origin. She found herself feeling impressed by this display of discernment and at the same time she felt a strong sense of devotion to keep this child safe. It suddenly donned on her that Viennashal hadn't fallen in love and created a new life by accident. She had done so for a reason and whatever that reason was she planned to find out.

"By the power of The Ancients I swear to you, no harm will befall your child."

Viennashal glanced at Virdenasha as another Goddess sat in the seat that separated them. Her name was Shadventress the Goddess of light. She looked over Viennashal and slowly nodded. Viennashal returned the nod and then leaned back and spoke in a low tone to Virdenasha.

"My child is the spark we need within the realm to rid us of the Collective and their corruption. I have been waiting for this day for a long time. Our time has come, for centuries we have prepared ourselves. Today the war begins."

Virdenasha nodded slowly as the realization ofher sister's proclamation hit her. Long had they awaited the day that theycould have an advantage over the God's. Too long had they served alongsidetyranny and turned a blind eye in the name of keeping peace. Today change hadcome, today they would begin their quest of retribution. Today the war began.

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