The Eternal Blade Saga Book 2, Chapter 26: Faith

I found myself standing in the fields of Shaemoor in the same recurring dream once again. However, as I looked around me, this once familiar place felt so foreign. Devoid of vibrant color, everything appeared muted, as if the very life had been drained from the world. The once golden wheat fields were so pale, they looked like drab beige walls that had been aged by the sun. I looked up at the sky, thinking that perhaps it was heavy cloud cover making everything appear as it was, but it was clear. I frowned, noticing that the sun itself wasn’t shinning as bright as it should have. Its dim light barely illuminated the tall grass and farms around me.

Taking my time, I meandered through the fields towards the stream, like I always did in this dream. The sound of the rushing water seemed quieter than usual, like it was further away, but as I crested the hill, I spied it below right where it should have been. Puzzled, I looked up and down the bank. There were no moas squawking and calling to one another like before, and there were no skales splashing about. But this was where I needed to be. This is where I always came. It was the spot my old friend would meet me, though others had found their way here lately instead. I wondered who would show this time.

Your spirit is troubled.

The orotund voice resonated throughout the land. I turned to find a figure standing atop the hill behind me. He wore a simple black hood covering an elongated, pale skull. Long, black robes hung on his tall, slender frame, secured to his chest under a leather chest-piece and black leather straps on his arms. Five skulls crowned his right shoulder on a gilded metal pauldron. A sense of relief washed over me as I looked upon the god of death, but that relief turned to unease and frustration when his presence reminded me of his absence.

“It is.”

Grenth regarded me with two black, empty eye sockets as soft, hollow breaths escaped through the opening at the bottom of the skull. His dark robes dragged along the ground behind him as he made his way down the hill towards me. His strides were slow, yet purposeful and intimidating. I found myself bowing my head slightly as I took a few steps back to make room for the immense power I felt proceeding him.

“You have been gone for so long. Why have you come now? Here?” I asked, trying not to sound demanding, but I had questions that needed answers. God or no, I was employed by him as the warden of the blade and at times I needed information to do my job.

Grenth silently moved to my side, unfazed by my questions, as his hollow eyes watched the stream. His robes seemed to take on a life of their own, the material gently fluttering and writhing all around the god.

It’s safer.

I looked up at him and crooked an eyebrow. “Safer?”

The god of death remained silent, still looking out over the water.

“I see,” I muttered. In actuality I didn’t and after all this time and all the cryptic responses, I shouldn’t have been surprised. However, who was I to question a god? Clenching my jaw, I held back the barrage of questions I had for hopefully a more appropriate time.

Side by side, we watched the water flow. I could feel the gentle movement slowly lull me into a relaxed state. My anxiety washed away, allowing room for contentment to settle in. It was an odd feeling, maybe because it had been so long since I had been free from worry and anxiety. I welcomed it even though deep down, I knew it wouldn’t last.

It was then that I noticed something in the water. In the current, shadows danced in familiar forms. I looked closer, following the current with my gaze over and over again. There was definitely something there. I rubbed my eyes and then looked again. The shape of the shadows became more apparent.

“Are those—,” I started to say, unsure of what I was seeing.

Souls.

“Gods,” I uttered. I leaned forward, careful not to step in the water for fear of disturbing the souls floating within. “What are they doing here in Shaemoor?”

Shaemoor.

There was a lightness in Grenth’s tone, as if my question amused him. Turning his attention toward me, I saw a pale green glow light up his otherwise dark, hollow eyes. He gestured towards the water.

No. Look again. They are on their way to be judged and sent on to their final destination.

I looked, and indeed recognized the shapes of bodies rushing with the current in the water. A smile pulled at my lips as I marveled at the sight. The water began to change before my eyes, taking on a ghostly glow, allowing the shadows to stand out. Human, sylvari, charr, asura—souls from all races and walks of life swept away to the Underworld for their judgement.

A cool breeze blew in, carrying with it a bitter sense of finality. The air around me shifted and grew colder, pulling my attention away from the water and to the lands around us. The once familiar hills and fields of Shaemoor were now gone. Stone ruins adorned with bare trees and shrubs sprawled out before us. The sun now took on a ghostly glow, illuminating everything below in its ethereal light. The world looked ancient and desolate, yet there was a calming stillness in the air and a familiarity that I couldn’t quite place. It was in the forefront of my mind but hidden in shadow. But then the shadow lifted and I knew where we were.

The edge of the Underworld.

Without a word, Grenth took a step toward the water and I expected his boot to sink into the rushing stream, but it did not. Instead, the lord of death simply walked upon the water as the souls rushed along below him. He motioned for me to follow. I hesitated at first, not sure if it was simply his status as a god that prevented him from sinking. I wasn’t sure I would do the same, but I took a step forward, tapping the tip of my boot down first to test the surface. It was as solid as ice.

I followed the god of death along the river of souls, deeper into the Underworld. But with every step I took, I found myself growing more and more discontent about our meeting until the heavy weight of my questions and concerns caused me to stop in my tracks. I braced myself, mustering up the courage to say what was on my heart.

“Wait, j-just wait,” I said, wringing my hands. The words came out quieter than I had intended, but I know Grenth heard me because he too stopped and turned to face me. “My family has been watching over the blade for you for centuries. I’ve been in your service since I was a child. I have so many questions and all I ask for are answers.”

A heavy silence grew around us and immediately my heart sank and I anticipated the worst. Most would not see it as my place to demand answers from my patron deity. Gods, I barely saw it as my place to do so, but I was tired of living in shadows and secrets. I bit my lip and waited for a response, not sure if it would come in the form of words or in a firm reminder of my place in all things. I hoped for the former.

I breathed a sigh of relief as soon as Grenth began to speak.

Every soul entering the Underworld slowly feeds Dhuum’s growing power and one day he will be strong enough to break free from his bonds. Removing his scythe, which houses most of his power, has slowed down the process.

“Yes, I know,” I began, but quickly stopped and took a breath. Expressing anger towards a god was probably not the best thing to do. “That’s why I want to destroy it. I want this whole thing over and done with so no one else dies and Dhuum doesn’t get his power back. But I need to know how.”

Grenth turned sharply, the movement so quick I almost didn’t see it and I flinched.

Speak no more of this! I know what it is that you plan to do, but I cannot help you, nor give you the answers you seek in this matter. What I can freely say is you will find what you’re looking for housed in secrets.

“I don’t need more cryptic answers!” I blurted out harshly and then quickly covered my mouth, emphatically apologizing. I waited for what I expected to be a harsh reminder of my place, but Grenth did no such thing. Instead, he simply uttered a less-than-amused guttural growl. The strange sound sent a shiver up my spine and I stepped back, but seeing as I was still standing, I allowed myself to relax just enough to let my heart rate lower from an erratic sprint to a steady jog.

My time in Tyria is growing short and some would say I have already meddled too much.

In that moment, the god of death did not seem as tall as he once was. His shoulders were slumped and his overall presence did not radiate the same power as I had experienced before. It was then that I realized he appeared more human than I had ever seen him before.

“I-I don’t’ understand. You’re leaving? Why?” I stared at the god incredulously. For as long as I knew, the gods had been amongst us, watching and guiding. To hear my patron god was leaving this world, especially with my task guarding the blade not done, it sent me into an emotional spin.

Grenth looked out over the ancient ruins of his domain.

We all are. Soon. The growing struggles with the primordial powers of this world will become a death sentence for its inhabitants if we stay. We Six have agreed to leave for the sake of the people.

My jaw nearly dropped to the ground. “No! How can you leave now with the bl-.”

Grenth held up a bony hand, palm out towards me and my words simply stopped. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t make even the slightest of sounds. I had been silenced.

It is already done.

As he moved in to close what little distance we already had between the two of us, I felt a bitter cold cover me like a shroud. I shivered. The pale green light in his eye sockets grew brighter and I felt an immense weight, like a thousand chains weighing me down. However, my anger and the growing sense of betrayal rising within would not let me fall. I dared to narrow my gaze at the god of death. I would not kneel. Not this time.

Tell me, how do you expect to stand on your own if your hand is always held?  Do you not see? Even now in the presence of a god you still stand. My child, there is great strength in you. In all of you. If nothing else, trust in that. The people of this land never needed the gods to thrive. Don’t place all your faith in us. Keep some for yourself.

My anger began to fade and my vision blurred as my eyes filled with tears. Even though I didn’t fully understand, I tried to let the words sink in. There was nothing I could do about Grenth or the other gods leaving. I could only let them go and do my best to see the rest of my mission through.

My first follower will watch over my realm in my stead when it is my turn to leave. But not before one last task.

His voice trailed off as he lowered his hand. One more time, Grenth looked out over our surroundings.

A light for when the dark comes.

Although the eyes of his skull remained empty aside from the light, I could sense something sorrowful there. It was as if he was sad to leave this world. It was strange to witness such human emotions from a god, but I had to remind myself that Grenth was no typical god. Although his mother was Dwayna, the goddess of life and the leader of the Six, his father was an unnamed mortal sculptor. After overthrowing Dhuum, his cruel predecessor and original god of death, Grenth ascended to godhood, but I always wondered if he had actually let go of his ties to humanity. The answer had never been as obvious as it was then.

It is time to go.

“Wait,” I said and then my eyes went wide with surprise. Grenth had given me my voice back. A burning question rose to the surface and I couldn’t bring myself to leave until it was answered. “I need to know. Is Seren my sister? Is that why you showed her to me that day during the siege in Lion’s Arch?”

Grenth’s dark, hollow eyes rested upon me again and I waited as patiently as I could for an answer. The silence that grew between us was deafening and for a moment, I grew concerned that he wouldn’t answer and I would be kept in the dark.

The blade will know. It always knows its wardens.

I bowed my head, berating myself for hoping for a straight answer when I should have known better. Even though I didn’t like it, I would have to settle for what I was given. I wanted to plead with Grenth, even get on my knees and beg for a straight answer, and I heavily considered it. However, before I could utter a word, Grenth reached for me and touched my forehead with the tip of his bony index finger.

Wake up.