It was the dawn of his execution.

He could hear the crowd gathered outside clamoring for his head. Manacles had been attached to his hands, and he stumbled behind the guard that pulled him toward the citizens that surrounded a raised platform. Despite knowing what would happen at his beheading, uneasiness filled him at the jeering he heard the people throw.

The guard pulled tight on the chain, causing him to stumble and almost hit the ground. The smirk the guard sent over his shoulder revealed that it was intentional, and he gritted his teeth to stop himself from saying anything. Talking would only garner insults.

Before, he had never had an opinion one way or another about public executions, but this experience clued him in to the absurdity of the punishment. He felt complete and utter humiliation and sick to his stomach at the thought of anyone enjoying his demise. Before, he had watched murderers and their ilk die without a second thought. He had watched it and then went on with his day as if he hadn’t seen it at all. How quick one’s views could change when they were faced with the very issue they used to ignore.

His first thought when the guard pushed open the door and tugged him into the open was that the weather was nice. There were no clouds in the sky, a pleasant breeze ruffling his hair. Trees with budding flowers scented the air, and flowers bloomed. He supposed that he was happy that he would die surrounded by such beauty. As happy as an about-to-be-beheaded man could be.

On the platform, Queen Mother, Queen Noree, and her husband sat at their chairs, overseeing the whole occasion. He was sure the people were surprised to see Queen Mother attend the execution as she had never done so in the past, but he knew she had a little more skin in the game this time. Locking eyes with her, she gave him a small nod, which he returned, before dismissing him. She had faith that he was prepared for what was to come.

Indeed, he was.

He couldn’t help the smile that curled his lips, inciting harsh words from the people who surrounded him. Their violent disgust with him did little to dampen the twisted excitement that filled him. Although he hadn’t seen him yet, he knew that Veloda was here. With each step toward the platform, his jitteriness increased. He trusted that Queen Mother knew that he had faith in her words.

Ai'Dvaoel, the true name of Veloda, was in his grasp. He had more power over the demigod than he could’ve ever imagined. Veloda had to obey his every order, but Queen Mother gave him more than that. The words she whispered into his ear—ipsum animas nostras colligis—would let him settle the score once and for all. A life for a life was the fairest.

When the blade came down to sever his head from body, Veloda’s neck would be severed as well. Demigods, Queen Mother had grinned, can killed like anything else in this universe. She had told him that he was lucky to have grown so close to Veloda because her words would be meaningless if there wasn’t a bond between them. He wouldn’t have needed to be lucky if he hadn’t met the monster in the first place.

The guard shackled the chain to the guillotine, forcing him to kneel with his head in the groove of the device. The blade hung dangerously over his vulnerable body. The executioner walked onto the platform and was welcomed with roaring applause. His face was hidden beneath a mask, but Zaki could see the malicious gleam of his eyes.

The executioner shouted, “Quiet!”

Silence rippled through the crowd.

“Before the beautiful Queen Noree speaks to the crime of Disgraced Magician Zaki, we will allow him to speak his final words. While this soul may not deserve this mercy, we must rise above and grant peace to a dying man lest Pravu curse our names.”

The crowd booed in response, but they quieted afterword in acquiescence. They would allow him his final words. How kind of them.

He scanned the crowd for Veloda, knowing that the demigod was watching. A smile spread across his face when he locked eyes with the being. While he didn’t wear his true skin, Zaki knew exactly who he was looking at. However, imagine his surprise when he saw that Veloda didn’t appear happy or triumphant. The demigod stood there with a grim expression on his face. It was with bated breath did he watch the executioner ready the blade.

Zaki spoke, “I am a man that let a monster guide him. Be disgusted by me. Use me to warn your children, your friends, even your enemies of what happens when you let empty words sway your heart. Ai'Dvaoel swayed me.”

Veloda’s eyes widened at the use of his true name, and he shook his head. The demigod mouthed, ‘Worthless.’

He continued, “My life was taken over, and I lost who I was. My deepest apologies to those I hurt. I hope that my death will serve as penance.”

“Are those your final words?” the executioner asked, yanking Zaki up by his hair. He was forced to look at the judgmental faces of the people.

He stared Veloda down, “Ipsum animas nostras colligis.”

The immeasurable amount of satisfaction at seeing fear enter Veloda’s eyes brought a grin to his face. The demigod took a step back, yet he didn’t run away. The futility of escaping his fate stopped him. There was nothing for them to do but wait for the blade.

As their death grew closer, the world narrowed to just him and Veloda. The speech of Queen Noree faded into the background, and time slowed for those final seconds. They quietly observed each other, both with sadness morphing their countenance. In this brief moment of pause, Zaki felt pity for Veloda. He would never forgive the monster, but he had unimaginable sorrow for the demigod. He hoped Severin had cherished his and Veloda’s friendship when he was alive. He didn’t know what afterlife would await them, or whether Pravu would bless them with Eternal Slumber. But he wished from the depths of his heart that whatever estranged part of his soul that still belonged to Severin would find peace with Veloda.

Zaki and Veloda closed their eyes when they heard the blade of the guillotine sped toward Zaki’s neck with the hiss of metal on wood. Loud cheers from the surrounding people as Zaki’s head rolled into the basket changed to screams of horror as Veloda’s head slid from his neck as well. The people closest to the demigod jumped out of the way as his skin regressed to its true form before collapsing into a pool of water. In the center of the pool, a gleaming white light rose. It glittered in the air, blinding all that looked at it directly.

Everyone turned their eyes away from the light except for the Queen Mother. She stared at it with delight, unaffected by its effects. Basking in the glow, she rose from her seat and walked to the light. She cupped it in her hands, cradling it to her chest, and whispered to it, “You were wrong to make an enemy of me.”

She crushed it between her fingers. Veloda’s shattered divinity dripped down her hand, seeping into her skin. His divine spirit mixed with hers, and her skinned tinged blue at her extremities. Queen Mother grinned, giddy at the feeling of devouring Veloda’s essence. With the intense light gone, people turned back to where Veloda’s body had laid. However, all they saw was the Queen Mother standing there, a pleased expression on her face. Whispers rippled through the crowd, and people spooked by the situation started to leave.

From where she sat, Queen Noree called, “Mother, what has happened? Who was that man in the crowd?”  

“They were no one, dear.”

“But his head fell off at the same time as Disgraced Magician Zaki’s,” the queen’s husband pointed out.

Queen Mother nodded, “Yes, that was odd, but be rest assured when I tell you he was no one. His body won’t linger in this world. In fact, his death was quite inconsequential in the grand scheme of things.”

The queen’s husband moved to argue further, but Queen Noree stopped him with a shake of her head. The queen was familiar enough with her mother’s eccentrics to know that they would not receive a proper explanation. Queen Noree stood and addressed the people who remained, “While unexpected events have unfolded, do not forget why we’re here. The Disgraced Magician Zaki has been persecuted to the fullest extent of our law, and this is a time for celebration! Take this time to remember Royal Magician Kihn with fondness and rejoice that her killer has been slain!”

The people cheered in response to their queen’s words. Queen Mother proudly smiled at her daughter’s impromptu speech. She wished that it wouldn’t be overshadowed by what would surely come next. As if summoned by her thoughts, the clear, blue sky was overtaken by towering storm clouds. The air grew thick and stuffy with humidity. The crowd glanced at each other; nerves reignited by the abrupt change in weather.

From the skies, a voice boomed as loud as thunder, “Which of you mortals had the gall to kill my son?”

“The mortal who killed your son is dead,” Queen Mother replied.

The clouds parted, shining a beam of light on Queen Mother. A body descended from the cosmos, constructed from the dense rain clouds. The crowd awed at the power of a god. For many, this was their first experience with a divine being. Queen Mother watched the spectacle, a small smile on her face.

The god hissed, “I should’ve known that you were behind this.”

“Your son’s death was a product of his own making.”

“Mynoria, does your malevolence know no bounds? I warned Nilalan of the path you were walking, but it seems they did not heed my words. If they did, how could they possibly let you roam this planet unsupervised?”

People were even more awed by their former queen’s calm demeanor. She didn’t seem intimated by the god at all. To the watchers, it looked as if she was amused by the being’s words. She said, “I don’t appreciate you blaming them for my actions. Nilalan is not my minder, and if they see something to be concerned about, they wouldn’t hesitate to stop me.”

The voice deepened as the god grew more frustrated, “Cease with the lies. I know that they’ve tried to stop you before. You didn’t listen then, and you don’t listen now. But heed me when I say that you can’t wreak havoc on Peyrn for any longer. This planet cannot handle any more of you scheming!”

The queen’s eyes glinted, a reptilian sheen showing her true colors for a second. “You have no say over what I can or can’t do. Peyrn will have to tolerate my presence until I’m done. “

“You’ll be this world’s ruin.” The god heaved a great sigh but made no action to stop her. The truth was that he couldn’t.

“Then may the Ethereal Mistress have mercy for all the pitiful souls.”