‘Vessels’.
I sat up with excitement and read.
“To communicate with her people, Goddess Xenia used Guardians as vessels from time to time. This practice allowed her to interact with her people on a physical level even though the bodies she chose were not hers. The Guardians got the chance to hear her voice and even see her mannerisms manifested by her vessels. It was considered an honor to be chosen as a vessel. Unfortunately, the effect of possession by the more powerful Goddess often proved detrimental to the chosen Guardians. The vessels…”
My heart pounded with dread as I turned the page.
“…often ascended as soon as the Goddess left their bodies. Even though the ability to ascend was and is still a coveted achievement among the Guardians, the Goddess stopped this practice after several millennia. She did not think it was right for the chosen vessels to sacrifice their physical lives for her. Also, most of her vessels were Cardinals, which deprived them of their primary objective, which was and still is to defend humanity and help the remaining Guardians get their glory back.”
My admiration for the Goddess went up a notch.
“Instead, Goddess Xenia chose to telepathically link with her people in their time of need. Until a more powerful Cardinal is born to be the Goddess’ vessel, the Guardians must be content with telepathed words from our Goddess. Even though such messages are often misunderstood, it is better than completely severing ties between the Guardians and their exalted Goddess.”
A more powerful Cardinal? Like the Chosen One, or a Cardinal with the dagger’s powers inside her perhaps? I didn’t want to speculate, yet I couldn’t help myself.
I changed and was ready to go training by seven before I remembered Master Haziel’s instructions not to go to the pit until eight. I pinged him anyway.
Can I come and talk to you? I asked.
Now is not a good time.
Why? What are you doing? I mean, you are not training us or anything, and I really need to know something.
He chuckled. Always impatient. Okay. What is it, Lil? Is it your headache?
My headache is gone. The writings are gone too. Am I the Goddess’ vessel?
There was silence then, Lil—
Just give me a yes or no answer, Master Haziel. I tried to stay calm but my inner voice rose. I hated losing control and the hollow feeling in my stomach just kept growing. Am I or am I not her vessel?
Yes, you are. You were not ready, hut the arrival of the Tribe caught us unaware, so the Goddess did what she could to prepare you. That is why the powers of the dagger moved to you. I was not sure whether your body would reject or accept the powers.
I blew out a breath. You knew from the moment we were attacked, didn’t you?
No, I knew from the moment you were born that you were the one. Do you think the Fates decided you should survive the dangers that have dogged your steps since your birth? Guardians were strategically placed to ensure your survival. You might not have seen them, but they were there. I am but a humble trainer, destined to prepare you. As the Chosen One, your duties will be many and varied. Some of them, like being the Goddess’ vessel, are happening sooner than we had expected, but you will rise to the challenge just as you have risen before when the Cardinals needed you.
I swallowed, not sure whether to be scared or furious. Do I have a say on whether I want to be her vessel or not?
Of course you do, but being her vessel is an honor. If you have a problem with it, tell her.
Yeah. Right.
It is true. Just because she is the Goddess does not mean she gets her way all the time.
He was nuts. How do I talk to her?
When she links with you again. After all, this is not the first time she has appeared to you, is it? According to the Chronicles of the battle on Coronis Isle, she helped you retrieve the Kris Dagger.
No wonder she’d sounded familiar. I would have died in that cave if it weren’t for her. Not sure how to feel, I asked, How many surprises should I expect from her?
All will be revealed to you, Lil. Be patient. I will see you at eight. Come prepared to train. And no more doubts about your destiny. I believe it. The Guardians believe it. We will need to rally behind you, but we cannot if you are not a believer.
He broke the link before I could come up with a response. I hadn’t asked to be given all these powers. They came with responsibilities and pain. Pacing, I fought the urge to scream, my heart pounding. Could one really refuse a Goddess? I was a nobody, a teen still exploring her abilities, while she was the Goddess, daughter of Azazel—one of the leaders of the Principalities. She was stronger, powerful and older, while I was…me. Worse, I could still ascend once she was done with me.
Ascend. I had never known that word would fill me with so much fear. Unfortunately, I couldn’t outrun my destiny. Like Master Haziel had said, the responsibilities of the Chosen One were many and varied. Grampa always told me to face my problems head on, even if it meant death. Ascend, death, same thing.
The acceptance didn’t mean I liked it. Neither did it take away my fears. Sighing, I laid on my bed and stared at the ceiling until it was time to head to the pit.
Lights from crystals blazed in the hallway and the offices. The morning shift employees were visible through the glass panels on the doors, holographic images in front of them. The whirring of ellipticals and treadmills filtered into the hallway from the Civilian gym. The High Council provided everything for its employees.
Surprisingly, the lights along the hallway leading to the dorms were also on. Could the students be back? I entered the rotunda of the Academy to find Sykes and Remy slouched on one of the benches.
“Cutting it close, aren’t you?” Remy said, looking at his watch.
I glanced at my watch. It was three minutes to eight. “You guys coming?”
“No, not yet,” Sykes said, teleporting to my side and draping an arm around my shoulders. He led me to the bench. “Sit. We’re waiting for Kim, Izzy, and Llyr.”
“Bran is not in the valley.” I slouched lower and sighed. “He never came home last night. What’s going on?”
“We need to make an entrance,” Sykes added, finger combing his messy hair.
“Don’t listen to him,” Remy cut in. “Master Haziel was waiting here in the rotunda when we arrived. He told us to wait for you guys. What’s wrong with you?”
“Nothing. Why?” I finally removed Sykes’ arm from my shoulder.
“You look like you want to punch someone,” Remy said.
“Yeah,” Sykes added, dropping beside me on the bench. “Didn’t you sleep?”
“Sleep has nothing to do with it. My life sucks.”
They stared, not masking their shock. I tended not to whine about stuff, except to Bran.
“That’s extreme. Did you and Llyr have a fight?” Remy asked.
“Want me to hunt him down and beat the crap out of him?” Sykes added.
“Everyone but me,” I snapped. “Why is that? Is it a conspiracy?”
“What?” Sykes asked.
“When did you find out?” Remy asked.
I explained everything that happened. “So the bottom line is I’m completely bonded with the most powerful weapon in the universe, so I can be the Goddess’ vessel.”