“The Devil Gods have their place,” Ynda said. “I can assure you, they are no threat to you in any way. On the contrary, they are your allies, equals in the protection of the Universal Core and the Realms. One in particular.”

“Which one?” Julian asked.

“The Void.”

The two jolted. The Void was the newest Realm, one where no one could go, not even them. It was also where the Reapers, the newest of the Divine races dwelt. Everyone assumed it was them that controlled that space.

“When the time comes, my grandson will claim it and the Reapers for himself, and you must ensure this will not be challenged by the one he shares a burden with.”

“Why us?” Ren asked.

Ynda smiled. “It’s still a part of you, dearest one.”

“Right,” he said, feeling slightly embarrassed. 

“Where are they right now?” Julian asked. “Hawk and Hero have been looking for them for years without any luck. They haven’t said anything, but I know it’s had a major impact on them. For a while it seemed like they weren’t even getting along because of it.”

Ynda’s eyes once again dropped, her shoulders weighed down by sadness. “My Hawk did not cope with it well,” she agreed. “He hurt himself and Hero. Despite that, Hero forgave him, healed him, and continued to love and honor him. He continues to do so today. Their hearts still search for their missing child, even if they, themselves, cannot.” After a moment’s hesitation, her eyes rose. “I cannot disclose their location, I’m sorry. There is one, however, who does know. That person’s identity must also remain secret.”

Julian sighed. “I understand,” he said quietly.

“Patience, though,” she continued, her smile returning. “You will meet them in time, I promise you.”

Julian straighted, his eyes flashing. “When? Can we tell—”

“No.”

The answer was short, final, yet not unkind. In that one word, both men heard a symphony, and buried the melody deep within their souls. They would see the Devil Gods at some point, and they would carry their secret, along with the mystery person Ynda mentioned.

For the first time since they stepped foot in the dome, Ynda took a few steps forward, her hair drifting peacefully around her. “Julian, you feared at one time you had broken your vow of loyalty to Hero, the true bearer of the Godheart, choosing instead to prioritize Ren.”

He nodded, his gaze unwavering, unashamed. He’d made his choice and refused to regret it. “I’m still loyal to the Helman’s and always will be. But my priority is Ren first above all others, including them.”

“As it should be,” she said with a gentle smile. “You pledged protection and loyalty to Hero, your god, Hawk, your star, and Ren, your heart that wanders. The order of this vow is irrelevant. Your vow remains, your soul steadfast, your core true. You knew deep within you who would be first in your heart, but none are last. Your love for Ren is pure and unconditional. Your devotion to your gods is unmatched. It is these qualities that have earned you the right to carry the Godheart.”

She gazed down at Sun, kneeling before him and extending her hand. He dipped his head, allowing her to pet him. “He is truly a good boy,” she chuckled. She reached for the shell, the collar fading away as she took it in hand. Sun smiled up at her, tail wagging. For him, to be called a good boy by the beautiful woman before him was high praise. She tucked some hair behind her ear and kissed him in the middle of the forehead. He froze, his brown eyes wide as the spot glowed briefly. She touched her forehead to his. “The best boy,” she whispered. She stood, petting his head. His eyes stayed on her as she backed away.

Julian looked from Sun back to Ynda. “What did you do?”

“Secured for you a constant companion.” She chuckled. “It wouldn’t do to see a Sun fade from his Universe, now would it.”

With wide eyes, they watched as Sun began to glow with the brilliance of a star he was named for. They had to shield their faces as the light grew, blinding them. A moment later, it faded, and to their great astonishment, the pitbull was no longer there. In his place was a boy, probably no older than twelve or thirteen by his size. He was wearing a gray tunic and black trousers. His gray hair was short and choppy, his brown eyes bright. He was staring at his hands in bewilderment, turning them over and over before moving them to his torso, touching his chest and looking down at his feet. He wiggled his bare toes, feeling the grass beneath them.

Suddenly he gasped. “My tail!” He spun around in one direction, before spinning in the other. Julian and Ren stared with their mouths agape while Ynda giggled. Finally, the boy looked up at Julian before turning to Ren. “M-Masters?” he said, his voice soft and filled with wonder. He turned to Ynda. “I don’t…understand.

“If anyone, or anything, fully embodies the traits necessary to be a successful god, it’s a dog.”

Sun swallowed hard before turning back to Julian. “I won’t fail you, Master,” he said resolutely.

Julian laughed, still in shock. “You never have, Sun,” he said. Ren put his hand on Sun’s head, drawing a smile from the boy who beamed up at him.

“No more scraps for you, bud,” he said softly. 

Ynda, smiling, held the shell between her hands, a soft glow emanating from the center of her chest. They suddenly realized she hadn’t just placed the heart in this glade, she’d provided her own soul as a vessel, much like the box the shell had been kept in.

“A pure love, true devotion, unwavering trust, and the desire to protect. This is what it takes to rule the Realms of the Universal Core. Julian Frae, Ren Nova, and Sun Frae Nova, I grant you the honor and duty of bearing the Godheart to its rightful owner, the First King of this Universal Core and no other.” Her eyes drifted over the three, her expression suddenly grave. “Protect and keep it safe, no matter what it takes.”

All three of them nodded. Dahlis had said the same thing, and Ren suspected there was a reason for it. This wasn’t the end of their troubles; that instinctive knowledge settled over them like a cloud and they steeled themselves.

“I know where to hold it until it’s time,” Julian said.

Ren nodded. “So do I.”

Ynda smiled. “It’s a good place.” Her smile faded as the glow began to pulse. “Be careful, my children. Your trials are far from over.” 

The three nodded and held out their hands, their palms glowing. It wasn’t just her power needed to bring out the heart, but theirs as well. Three ribbons of celestial energy appeared, twisting and swirling around the orb as the inside began to fill with a radiant, iridescent light. None of them showed any trepidation, no hesitation, no uncertainty for the future. 

The light filled the dome, encapsulating all within it, before falling back in on itself. When it faded, the orb spun gently, weightlessly in the middle of the three celestial beings, their hands underneath it. They didn’t have to look around to know Ynda was no longer with them.

Ren swallowed. “Are you ready for this?”

Julian nodded once. “Been ready.”

Sun grinned. “Let’s go get our friends and go home.”

-*-

Ruby sat in the grass, her head finally starting to clear from the intense fog that had consumed it. If not for Modette and Felix, she would have passed out long before they had made it out of the energy field. She was mildly comforted by the fact that Callen hadn’t fared any better than she had. He was sitting next to her, one knee bent, his arm resting over it.

“I never want to go through that again,” he grumbled.

“I don’t think you’ll have to,” Modette said, glancing back where they had come. 

Felix’s brow furrowed. “It’s fading,” he muttered.

Ruby and Callen followed their gaze, squinting as they saw three figures running in their direction. She jolted.

Hold on…three?

She got to her feet, watching perplexed as Ren, Julian, and a boy she’d never seen before rushed toward them. When they were near enough, she pointed at the boy. “Who is this?” she asked. 

“Is that the Godheart?” Callen asked, his large brow furrowed.

“What?” Julian asked, confused. He looked at the boy. “No, that’s Sun,” he said, as though the answer was obvious. The boy grinned at them, raising one hand.

“Hi!” he said brightly.

They all stared at him, wearing the same blank expression. Felix slowly raised his hand.

“Howdy,” he said slowly.

“If the Godheart isn’t a boy,” Ruby said.

“Where is it?” Modette finished.

“Safe,” all three of them replied, their eyes leveled with theirs, leaving no more room for questions. 

“We need to get going,” Julian said. “You ready?”

“Uhhh,” Felix said, motioning around them. “How? We have no way to get there and no idea where to go at this point. I don’t know anything about this place.”

Julian smiled. “You really have no faith in me at all, do you?” He raised one arm to the side, and drew a line in the air. 

Felix’s eyes widened as the light poured over them. “Well, fuck me.”

-*-