Page 75

Wonder

And it’s true. Whether or not by the strike of an arrow, no one can control feelings. It’s not a choice, but it’s also not destiny.

Regardless, Envy and Sorrow might learn to love each other, no matter how much they resist. Everyone hopes so, because a great many futures rests upon that.

It isn’t fair to the couple in question, but that’s the price of who they are.

And for the sake of both realms, Envy and Sorrow can at least try to bridge the gap between fate and free will.

That had been Wonder’s point. Unfortunately, it doesn’t yield the desired effect. After the crew finishes giving her consolatory looks, the argument resumes. Envy and Sorrow continue to object, and the crew continues to gang up on them, and Wonder continues to observe.

For all their centuries of living, to arm anyone with the power of emotions, to assume they know anything about these sentiments purely by learning techniques and sensory signals, to believe that’s the necessary extent of their training and experience?

It’s a significant flaw of their culture.

To conclude that’s all it takes to understand humanity, much less themselves, is a selfish failure.

For this equilibrium between fate and free will to manifest, they require diversity. Not just from immortals like her crew and former mortals like Andrew. Not merely from active deities and exiles like Merry.

But from age and experience. From youths to elders.

Wonder is grateful for Harmony’s presence. During such proceedings, the Guide would normally interject and share her wisdom. Be that as it may, she has another chief concern. Letting the crew work this out, the Guide steps toward Wonder.

“It would be pretentious to advise you on this sort of recovery,” she murmurs while the others debate. “However, I have faith in one truth. Someday, you will heal.”

“Someday,” Wonder echoes, although she doubts it, although she believes it.

Someday, she might recognize the value of this path. Would she do it all again, if only to have those fleeting weeks with Malice? A thousand times, she would. Even if she couldn’t change what happened later. So yes, that’s a union of destiny and choice as well.

Wonder joins hands with Harmony, their fingers squeezing. As they clasp together, the goddess’s attention directs itself elsewhere, her features alighting in surprise, then lifting in renewal.

“Someday,” Harmony breathes. “Meanwhile, there is today.”

She inclines her chin. Wonder turns, following the motion.

At the same moment, the crew’s dispute tapers into silence.

From each corner, figures appear with archery harnessed to their backs.

Longbows and crossbows of the earth and sky, of limestone and marble, of stones and gems, and of other varied treasures.

Some faces are soft and rosy with youth, others honed and polished with maturity.

Some wear leaf circlets, others wear braids or metal clips.

Their star-woven cloaks and moon-threaded leathers shift with their movements.

The visitors glow like celestials, their attire carrying the scents of mist caves and moonlit cliffs.

Fragrances of The Dark Fates.

The crew gathers, watching the deities approach. The newcomers pause, a handful gazing about in curiosity. Some aren’t old enough to know the mortal realm yet, whereas others hardly spare the library a passing glance, having served plenty of human landscapes.

Among the guests are Hope and Joy. The females nod toward Wonder, then to a thunderstruck Anger, the crew’s leader.

The rage god opens his mouth, but nothing comes out. All the same, he doesn’t need to ask, to inquire what has brought them here. Everyone knows, for this is what they’ve been striving and campaigning for.

Wonder thinks of The Archives combat, The Hollow Chamber’s destruction, and the unarmed death of an outcast. Scanning the faces before her, the ache in her heart eases. For now, at least.

She speaks from her heart, the place where Malice resides. “Welcome.”

***

An alliance. That’s what this is. These Dark Gods have journeyed here, defying their world to side with a band of rebels.

News of recent events has traveled quickly, a substantial population of The Dark Fates spurning Wonder and Malice for trespassing on sacred ground during Stellar Worship.

By the same token, the populace blames them for the Chamber’s downfall.

Whereas others—who were already questioning their positions, especially after hearing the provocative tales of Love and Andrew, then Anger and Merry—condemn The Fate Court for taking down an indefensible god. No matter how anarchistic Malice had been, to fell an unarmed deity is dishonorable.

Over the past year, Wonder’s crew has mobilized outcasts, making progress in The Celestial City. As for residents of The Dark Fates, they haven’t recruited as many, most of the candidates either hedging or not answering the call.

But now, here they stand. Those who have heard the tales of destiny and choice. Realities that may be possible for all.

There is much to impart. At Anger’s instruction, the convocation quests for Stargazer Hill, where the celestial warriors can spread out. However, Wonder chooses to remain behind with Malice. She’ll join the assembly later, once he has faded.

On their way out, they pay respect to the fallen exile, passing Malice’s table and inclining their heads.

The sight pulls tears from Wonder’s eyes.

As she escorts the masses out and then pauses on the library’s threshold, Harmony kisses her cheek, Merry gives her a hug, and Wonder receives nods of support from the rest. She watches them travel deeper into The Celestial City, an army of renegades blending into the night.

The air shifts. Her chest clenches, awareness and terror lancing through her. She rushes down the aisles, dashing past books and reading chairs. Rounding the corner, her feet slam to a halt, a whimper climbing to the rims of her mouth.

Malice is gone.

***

Now she knows what loss feels like.

Her bare feet sink into the earth, grass brushes her ankles, and pomegranates shiver from the branches. As a breeze rustles her gown, the material billows like a waving hand.

Something akin to Goodbye .

Of all the forbidden words she has ever written, she’s never penned that one. She never had a reason to do so. Until now.

In the library courtyard, a lone pomegranate tree stretches its boughs overhead, the stems dripping with dark orbs. This used to be his place, back when she hardly knew him. Back when she hardly knew herself.

He once screamed a question, demanding a reply she hadn’t been able to give.

Who are you?

It has taken a long time, but she finally knows the answer. Yet it’s too late to give a reply. She cannot even write it down, cannot send him a letter, for he’ll never be able to read the words.

He’s gone. The demon is gone because of her.

And this time, he’s not coming back.

Closing her eyes, Wonder inhales leather and old books. Perhaps in this place, he might actually hear her.

“Malice,” she whispers.

But what she doesn’t expect is a response.

“You remembered,” a voice says from behind.