average human’s Reviews > The Gods Veiling > Status Update

My fingers glide over the shiny surface until they reach the spines of books pushed back into the shelves.
I slam my lids shut and settle my racing heart. The small description the High Chancellor gave us runs through my mind and I exhale repeatedly.
Thankfully, it does ease the confusion.
I’m in my own mental creation.
As my brain accepts that, the disorientation completely lifts from me, and my body becomes mine to control once more. The discombobulating sensation continues to ease as I wiggle my fingers and roll out my shoulders until I’m standing straight.
A healthy dose of anxiety pounds through me, though. No part of me wants to turn around and face what I’ve created. Or a possibly pissed off God who could be visiting me.
To my surprise, I’m met with perfection when I take in the room. So much so, shock wipes out all my fear and anger.
I immediately know what I’ve made.
It’s my dream home.
The same one I’ve created countless times in my sleep or daydreams. It’s way more elaborate than anything I’ve ever and probably will ever live in.
Right in front of me is a huge seating area with a three-sided couch that could easily fit fifteen people. Maybe more if we squeeze in. I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve envisioned my parents, Meridamus, myself, Mellcom, Lambrit, Laney, and even Jeremiah before, sitting around, laughing, drinking, eating, and just being together in this space.
The crackling of wood burning fills the silence. The flame doesn’t quite stretch into the chimney and there’s no heat coming from it. It just creates the perfect ambiance.
The black-and-gray stone columned fireplace looks gorgeous against the dark green walls. There’s a variety of amethysts and plants sitting on top of the mantel and right in the center is a gorgeous set of stone-chiseled wings. They’ve been painted in an ombre of white and purple that gives the space enough color to tie it all together.
I don’t have to look behind me to know a beautiful bookshelf sits at my back. There’s a ladder at the far end that I’ve used to sail across the floor from one end of the shelves to the next. In my dreams, I handpicked, read, and placed each of the texts into their proper spots.
The wind blows through the room, fanning the beige curtains that are obscuring the wall of windows. I slowly approach them and run my fingers down the soft material.
The sight before me as I sling them fully open takes my breath away.
The door to the outside porch is already open and I walk through, only stopping once my hands grip the railing.
For miles, it’s a painting of different shades of green. The peaks of mountains in the distance range from small to touching the clouds. The sound of a stream flowing somewhere close by is in harmony with the whispers of the wind.
A creak to my right has my head whipping to the side and my heart jumps in my throat. The fright quickly settles, and I laugh at myself when I realize it’s the swing swaying with the breeze.
I make myself right at home on the carefully crafted wooden seat. One push of my feet has it moving smoothly and I draw my legs up and cross them.
My head leans back on the rest, and I close my eyes while the Gods Binding does whatever the hell it truly does. A small laugh that’s mixed with disbelief and all the other shit I’ve been feeling tumbles out of me.
If only this were my reality. What a life it’d be. Just me, sitting on the porch of my dream home, relaxing in a swing, waiting for my family and friends to come visit me.
This is the cruelest daydream I’ve ever had.
“Yes, be my guest. Make yourself comfortable, little troublling.”
My body locks up at the familiar voice and I choke down my startled gasp. I’ve heard that teasing nickname so many times in my life. Only now has it ever been out loud and not in my head.
A god disowned by the other gods.
Today may be my day of reckoning for my mouth.
His sharp features are what I’d expect of a Beginning God. They were created with unmatched beauty.
He’s tall, tan, and stunning. There’s no denying that. His hair seems to have multiple different shades, from black to brown to blond. There’s no rhyme or reason to the highlights. His eyes are piercing and mischievous.
One blue. One black.
“Derivius. I’m sure the God of Chaos has more important things to attend to than visiting me. Are you even allowed to be here?”
He shakes his head with a smile on his lips before pushing himself from the railing. He takes a seat right beside me and my heart hammers in my chest. I squeeze my fingers tighter into the wood slats, preparing myself for his punishment.
“Meeting you here is the most important task on my agenda today. It took you long enough.”
I grit my teeth painfully. “Not long enough. This never should’ve happened.”
“Oh, come on. I know you have a grand hatred for our kind, but not all gods are bad. I mean, us Beginning Gods are pretty awful. The Domain Gods are hit or miss, but all the becoming gods such as yourself aren’t all that dreadful. You’re my favorite of them all, just so you know.”
I lean my head back against the swing as a frustrated sigh falls from my lips. “Derivius, how many times have I cursed the gods, including you, and told you I’d never step foot in Godsden?”
He snorts and pats my knee. “Too many to count, little troublling.”
“Exactly. You couldn’t have just come to me or talked to me like you always have? Did you really have to resort to this taurnshit to get me here for whatever reason?”
I’m embarrassed about the way my voice cracks. It’s not like I expected some sort of loyalty from him. Chaos, messy situations, and random shit happening followed up by the sound of his laughter in my mind.
Yeah, all of that I expect.
Him manipulating Mellcom to get me here when he knows where I stand about being with the gods…No, I never would’ve thought he’d do this.
My anger that I must get from his domain swells the longer I think about how he as well betrayed me. This whole time, I’ve put my neck and my beliefs on the line to talk with him when I wasn’t supposed to.
He cocks his head to the side. The smirk melts off his face as he realizes how serious I’m growing. When his frown eventually turns into a scowl, I gulp, but I don’t let my glare falter.
“Whatever are you talking about?”
His faux confusion both pisses me off and disappoints me. “You know, I get it. I really do. I’m just some foul-mouthed, hotheaded ‘troublling,’ no one from Oddian, and you’re a Beginning God who’s entertained my shenanigans, but I never would’ve thought you’d do something like this to finally get back at me.
“If you really were offended, or I crossed a line somewhere along the way, couldn’t you have just punished me while I was at home? Did you really have to cause this much chaos for me? Why did you let me trust you, then take my greatest fear and bring it to life?”
I push myself off the swing and take a few steps away from him. My arms cross over my chest as I try to calm my erratic breathing and the building tears that make my nose burn. How foolish could I have been to think a Beginning God actually cared and was looking out for me in his own chaotic kind of way?
He stands and his towering size has me nearly tumbling back. I grip the rail for dear life and force my feet to stay strong beneath me.
“I will not ask again, Thayla. What are you talking about?”
His power washes over me and his narrowed eyes freeze me in place. I stare into their depths for a long moment while I catch my breath. I’ve known him since I was ten years old and never once has he ever gotten stern with me. Even when I really and truly deserved it.
He’s always calm and comical with his chaos. Like he was always guiding me through the madness of his own creation.
“Mellcom was visited by a god, a man god, so he claims…” I tell him the entire truth of what Mellcom said. Both dreams, his deal with coming along as well, the way he got my blood. All of it. The more I speak, a glint that’s a mix of admiration and anger gleams in his eyes.
They continue to widen with my words, and he rubs his chin as he begins pacing. Three things become abundantly clear to me with his behavior.
One, he really has no idea what I’m talking about.
Two, he’s impressed that someone did such a good job making it seem like it was him who caused this.
And three…I’ve somehow caught the attention of another god who knows I talk with the one god we aren’t supposed to.
He finally stops his pacing and rests his arms on the railing. “How long has it been now that you’ve disobeyed the laws of the gods and talked to me?”
Too fucking long.
“Twenty long years.”
He smirks at me fondly. “I’ll be as truthful with you as I can. I’ve known since before that day your sweet, angry, little voice rang out my name that you’d end up at Godsden. That’s a fate that’s been written in the stars for a long time, Thayla. When and how has always been a question, but never if. Only a select few were given that information.
“I always get such a bad rapport with everyone. It stunned me, of all the Beginning Gods, the gods in general, you unconsciously chose me to talk to. I refused to be the one to deliver that news to you, then have you hate me. It doesn’t change the fact I knew you’d come.
“The hand I have in your life has been set for a long time, but I didn’t speed up its fruition. I swear to you that I didn’t visit that boy, but I’ll find out who did. You’re the only ungodly being I’ve ever visited since my worshipping has been stripped.”
My chest heaves as I flatten my hands on the railing a few feet from him. Those ridiculous tears threaten to fall, but I slam my lids shut. I refuse to let them cascade down my face.
He knew…of course he fucking did.
I’ll never forget the day I called out his name. He called out right back.
Why makes more sense now.

Meridamus and I were in the library. This was very shortly after my parents left and I was firmly in my angry phase. I’d thrown a massive tantrum about him trying to get me to work out, so he compromised. We’d run to the library, stay there for a while, then run back.
He was going over the Beginning Gods with me. Something my parents up to that point had only touched on. I knew there were seven of them, but not their names or what they ruled. We only got through a few and Derivius was the last of them.
Meridamus instructed me to return the books to their spots and on my way to do so, I tripped, knocking an entire five shelves down.
In my ten-year-old mind, add in the embarrassment from everyone looking and fussing over me, plus my anger, I wanted someone to blame for that. I didn’t just trip over myself.
I mentally yelled out, “Derivius, you stupid God of Chaos. This is all your fault.”
The laugh I’ve grown so used to hearing now filtered through my mind. At first, I thought it was someone in the library laughing at me until he spoke.
“I didn’t do anything today, little troublling.”
Fuck…the door I opened.
Years ago, his temples were destroyed. I still don’t know why, and he’s never explained the story. All I know is the gods basically sent the message to the realm, he may be a Beginning God and is crucial to our way of life, but he isn’t to be prayed to or worshiped anymore.
I technically break that godly decree every time I call upon him.
I’m starting to believe there’re different definitions of prayers as well.
“So what does all that mean? What does this mean for me? Why would any other god do this? I don’t pray, worship, or even think their names from fear of them hearing it. I need you to tell me what’s going on.”
“I’ll tell you the things that I can. I need something from you, though, Thayla.”
“What could you possibly need from me?”
His eyes soften. “You have no idea the amount of power behind the words you’ve said to me over the years. I’ve always been too selfish of a god to explain it to you.”
Well, there’s my fucking answer. Great going, Thayla.
You’ve disobeyed the laws of the gods and your parents.
Before I can lay into him about keeping that from me, he continues, “When a god is no longer worshipped by their people, the extra boost of power we receive from the realm begins to decline. I had gone years without an ungodly being calling upon my name. You may have spent many moments throwing those foul slurs my way, but each word directed at me has kept my extra power flowing.
“I didn’t care what came out of your mouth. The good or the bad. Truth be scribed, I quite enjoy your brand of chaos. It’s different from my own but much appreciated. You and an incredibly small number of others haven’t shunned me completely. That may not seem important to you now, but once you become a fully powered god yourself, you’ll understand the significance.
“Take the High Chancellor for example. No one prays to him other than a few of his associates, so he’s resorted to secretly syphoning power from the Gods Veil. At least he thinks that’s what he’s doing. Really, I’ve given him bits and pieces to hold over his head. I’ve kept that little tidbit to myself and hid it from the others, so use it wisely.”
My mouth gapes open and my brain completely blanks on anything to say. If I had known my words, just talking, not praying or worshipping, gave him power, I never would’ve said anything else to him ever again. My promise to my parents was and is far too important to me.
I guess that doesn’t matter much now, though, does it?
I know for a fact, though, he only dropped that piece of information on the High Chancellor for me so he could cover up the thankfulness in his tone. He can’t let it seem like I’ve done something for him and he not return the favor.
God logic…ridiculous.
I clear my throat and shake my head. “So you need me to continue talking to you. Is that it? You know I can’t do that. It was really shitty of you to keep that from me when I’ve literally expressed to you why I don’t pray to the gods.”
“It’s habitual now. I don’t believe you’re done cursing me just yet. I give it a few days and you’ll stub your toe, then blame it on me.” He smirks, and I snort before I scald myself.
That’s happened a few times, actually.
“I need your forgiveness. For a couple of things.”
My body instantly tenses. A prickling starts at the back of my neck and runs all the way through my spine. Every strand of hair on my skin stands.
“What do I have to forgive you for other than you keeping that from me?”
“For what I’m about to do.”
My voice barely lifts above a whisper. “I’m going to need a little more than that.”
He nods like he agrees, but he pinches his lips together and stares out over my mountains. I can’t bring myself to look at them. I don’t want to taint this beautiful image I’ve created by whatever he’s going to say and do.
“You know that some odd two hundred years ago, there were portals that connected five of the realms, and they closed. Those realms are Essemist Keep, Colosyree, Mystara Hollow, the nonmagical, and of course here. There was a time we connected to a sixth, Elementra. It closed even longer ago.”
He says the last realm’s name with both reverence and something akin to fear like speaking its name could be heard. That’s the only realm I couldn’t remember the name of. We have so little information on it, I’ve never put much effort into learning about it.
“We don’t know very much about it.”
“That’s correct and a grave mistake on our part. Millennia ago, our egos truly blinded us. We thought we were above all and any below us didn’t deserve our attention. We spent more time making our presence known to the nonmagical realm than our very powerful counterparts.
“The Valories crossed a line with their creator, Elementra, once upon a time. She swore that her power would be found in every realm from that moment on, and she’d make sure none of the other creators stepped out of line again. She’s the being who created all the portals in every realm. Every passage is because of her.
“As godly of me as it’d be to sit here and tell you the Valorian Veil is the most powerful of all the realms, that’d be untrue. We aren’t far behind, but she’s still more powerful. As are her beings.”
I’m hypnotized by the soft story he’s telling. I’ve always had a desire to learn about the unknown. It’s what brought on my curiosity with the Unclaimed. I’m positive now, the being that placed the barrier separating them from us is from this realm he’s speaking of.
“I’m fascinated, really, and I’d like all the information on this realm that you have, but what does this have to do with anything?”
“When the portal to Elementra closed, it caused an uproar with the Beginning Gods and the Domain Gods. Relationships were already strained. That was going to make or break us. Many ideas, plans, and nonsense were thrown around as we tried to figure out a way to preserve the power we had been receiving from that realm. It was pure and raw. Not something we wanted to give up.
“After we came to an agreement, we also decided we’d try to replicate their power system. The beings from there that were stuck here went into hiding as soon as the portal closed. Those that were found, refused to speak about their creator. They warned us that she’d know if something happened to them at the hands of the gods. We listened to that threat at the direction of the Valories and…another one of their creations. So we kept searching for answers.
“Very minimal was found, yet a single page that was ripped in two held a firsthand account of Elementra’s dynamic. It was the only source of genuine information found within the Valorian Veil. One of her beings had written it. They have what they refer to as a Nexus. It’s a unit built by four men and one woman where their power is interwoven irreversibly. It makes them many times stronger.”
My eyes bug out of my head as the dots connect. “The gods copied them and created the Valtrue.”
“Correct, but we didn’t fully understand how connected those four men and one woman truly were. That’s why our Valtrues haven’t worked. Sure, some of them grow close and create a very functioning group that operates better than others. Yet they aren’t as powerful or cohesive as a Nexus seemed to be. We were missing information on why that was. I was gifted that missing piece.”
His hand dips into his pocket and my heart attempts to crawl out of my chest. He pulls out an ancient-looking piece of parchment and smooths it out. It’s been folded pristinely, and the ink is still as black as I’m sure the day it was written.
“That’s the other piece of that page,” I whisper.
“It is. It appeared to me many, many years ago and within it held the answer to why the Valtrues weren’t working. We’ve been tying them together solely based on similarities in domains, Designations, and power strengths. That was inaccurate. They need the same level of strength but should’ve been built diversely elsewhere. Their differences should complement each other, not compete. The other difference is, they’re truly bonded together. Their female isn’t just the center focus. Her soul ties them as one.”
My body freezes like I’ve just been thrown into the Lost Sea. Everything within me screams to run.
“The High Chancellor didn’t mention this in his explanation. Which means you’ve never told the other gods, but you’re telling me. Why?”
“You’ll soon learn, Thayla, not all the Beginning and Domain Gods get along. And I don’t just mean they don’t see eye to eye. There’s a realm of mess and danger that you’re preparing to enter. Secrets Godsden holds very close.
“One of those secrets is an incomplete Valtrue here at the Godsdawn. I’ve known them longer than I’ve known you, and they know me just as well. They’re the only group to ever be paired with differing Domains and Designations yet hold the same strength. I’ve been patiently waiting to complete their Valtrue. You’re their complement. Your soul will seal itself to theirs perfectly.”
I backpedal away from him and jerk my head in denial. I don’t even fully understand what this means, but I know I don’t want it. I don’t want to be tied—my soul to be tied—to four men for the rest of my existence.
That means forever.
No.
“Derivius, what you’re saying is crazy and…and impossible. You can’t do anything to people’s souls. You can’t tie my soul to other people. Do they know you want to do this? Why would you do this?”
“There’s much to a god’s soul that you don’t know yet but will. The boys are as unaware as you and it’s not only my choice, Thayla. There’s much at play in our realm that you don’t understand. Our downfall started more than a millennium ago and over the last two-hundred-plus years, has escalated. The peak of our problems is coming.
“Know this, the Valories have abandoned only but a few of their original creations and I am one of those. The gods may have turned their backs on me, but the creator has not and they’re trying to right the wrongs they made with their creations without disrupting our balance once again.”
My back hits the railing on the other side of the porch and realm-quaking tremors surge through me. Panic ignites everywhere within me now that I have nowhere to go, and my watering eyes stay glued to the god inching toward me.
His hands are held up in an innocent gesture, but I couldn’t care less. There’s no way for him to spin this to make it any better.
“Why? Why the fuck me? I don’t understand any of this. I don’t want any of this. I never wanted to be with the gods and follow their way of life. Now you’re saying I’m some…some chosen freak. A pawn for you and the Valories,” I shout as he finally stands in front of me and lays his hands on my shoulders.

“I know you didn’t, but that’s what makes you perfect. Your distaste for the gods is what we need. You’re not some chosen freak. Many, many of us have our roles to play. Some have already accomplished their duties, while others, you, the boys, me, and many others, still have work to do. I’m so sorry. Many of us who have guided and protected you are sorry.”
Many…I haven’t been around many—
The air in my lungs hardens to stone. “Them. They knew. Meridamus…my parents. My parents knew.”
His eyes soften even though they swirl with his powers. The colors within them start to blend as one as his full strength roars to the surface.
“They bought you as much time as they could by telling you to never enter yourself into the Veiling. Otherwise, they did as they were told. Now it’s time for what we’ve been warned of to unfold. You’ll learn as you go, and I’ll aid where I can. Your Attendant will be unbound, and you’ll see her strength and the need you have for her. And she you. Learn to trust, Thayla. Not everyone will abandon you. I have not and will not abandon you.
“Your Valtrue will be strong and the five of you will grow together. Work together as you are meant to. Their souls will take care of yours. Try to understand, there’s purpose behind any brand of chaos. And please forgive me, little troublling.”
My arms shoot out and grip him by his shirt as a mixture of warmth and pain sears through me.
“Never. Not for this.”
The sensation continues to build to the point of suffocating me. I hold it in as best as I can, but within seconds, my scream rips through my throat and echoes through the mountains.
Everything within me tears to shreds.
Nothing could’ve prepared me for this sort of pain.
My knees grow weak and the only thing holding me up is Derivius. His softly murmured apologies are nearly drowned out by the bellows falling from my lips.
“We’re immortal gods. I’ll work for eternity to earn your forgiveness. One day, you, them…you all will see, this was meant to be done. But even when that time comes, I’ll continue to build our trust because you spent years building me in my darkest hours. For now, I, Derivius, Beginning God of Chaos, deliver my will.”
Beneath my tightly clenched fingers, the material of his shirt transforms into a velvet piece of parchment. He gently grabs my wrists and separates himself from me.
I stare into a cosmic swirl of black and blue as I sway. There’s no regret on his face. There’s maybe an ounce of guilt for the pain that’s plaguing my body, but more than anything, there’s a fierce determination.
My wobbly knees try to give out again, but I lean back against the railing to hold myself up. His fingers twitch as though he thought about helping me but changes his mind.
Instead, he steps back, then back some more.
When there’s enough distance that neither of us can reach each other, he bows low. A choked sob bubbles out of me.
Beginning Gods bow for no one. That’s his way of pledging his allegiance and his apology.
Both of which I don’t want.
I never wanted to do the gods’ bidding to get my power.
A bright flash of white light conceals his body, then fades, leaving the spot where he just stood empty.
Everything around me grows hazy as my perfect creation starts to dissolve. The calming swing, peaceful nature, and beautiful shades of green brighten blindingly. I want to run back into my dream home, where everything was right.
A wall of nothing but white forms in front of me. It beckons me forward and I have no choice but to listen. My unsteady feet slide beneath me, no matter my resistance.
I don’t have the strength to cover my eyes as the scene rapidly shifts back to reality. This version of reality, that is.
All my focus is on the pain pounding through me and the searing hot water falling down my cheeks.
There’re murmuring voices, but they’re only distant echoes.
“Thayla Godrun.”
My name bellowed beside me has my head lethargically following the sound. The High Chancellor stands just a foot from me with his hand held out expectantly, a pissed off scowl scripted across his face, and it takes me too long to process what it is he wants.
Impatiently, he snatches the parchment from the death grip I have it in.
A foreign jerk in my chest overwhelms my senses. Sound escapes me, aside from the rapid breaths falling from my chest.
I search the massive crowd gathered in front of me for whatever it is causing my body to be on high alert.
All the beings blur as I spot four hulking forms shoving their way toward me. I blink repeatedly to clear my vision and get a better look at them. It’s pointless, though, as everything goes hazy.
I hiss through my teeth and stagger a step as my arm catches ablaze. An elegant, swirling C takes shape right across the veins flowing under the skin of my wrist.
That mark is the last thing I see before my body crumbles and darkness takes me under.