Bursting into laughter, Midnight couldn't contain herself.
"Oh? I'm not evil?" She cackled, focusing on Vera, who had stolen the room like always.
My sister was always the smartest and best of us. She was a better fit for God Slayer than I ever would have been.
Ah, you really need to stop putting yourself down, little pup. You're more than she'll ever be. However, each of you has a role to play. Midna once again caught onto my insecurities.
Her words caused me to wince, even though she didn't turn away from my sister's gaze.
"No, you aren't evil at all. I also found an old record. You see, I make it a hobby to read every book, and I remember reading this story about how the goddess of rebirth tried to burn down an ancient book." Vera announced, standing proud over the books.
Her words caused Midnight to narrow her eyes and watch her intently.
"That was when her father killed her for it by ripping her out of her body and throwing her in an ancient prison made for the gods." She recounted what she had read, prompting the bird to shake her head.
"At first, I thought it might have been a legend written by a storyteller, but then I realized they made the original in the old elven tongue. Then you came along, and I wondered if it was real. Usually, legends contain some truth. So, will you tell us which is and what isn't?" Vera stopped, giving a chance to the goddess before us.
"Impressive witch! No wonder your sister has an inferiority complex! Really, call me impressed! If only you had been chosen by him, too. Then again, you're nothing like him." Midnight applauded Vera yet again, suddenly turning somewhat disconnected.
"You mortals and your records. Honestly, it's interesting how that has survived until now. Yes, I was the goddess of rebirth before being struck down by my father." The goddess paused for a moment before letting go with a sigh. "He was none other than the god of death. My father killed me for trying to interfere with the book that will cause the end of the world as we know it."
In response, Vera narrowed her eyes.
"So, will you tell us how that book came to be? And what is it?" My sister got down to the real reason she started this.
No matter what she did, it always left me in awe. She was poised and focused, while I was a wildcard—a genuine rival for anything I would ever accomplish.
Alijah, you'd surely fancy her too, right?
Pathetic, I never thought I would see the day when I felt bad for your eternal lover. Midnight once again caught on, pretending otherwise.
A stinging sensation radiated through my body.
Like you know!
Ignoring me, she focused on Vera. "And why should I do that? It would be much more interesting to see you struggle to find it, witch."
"You chose Rem for a reason, and it isn't the one you gave us before, " my sister declared.
Midnight shrugged in response.
That has nothing to do with you. It's me and them.
She scuffed, gazing at me again shortly, though. "Oh? I picked her because of her affinity for death."
"No... It's because she clings to life, isn't it?" my sister argued.
Midna shook her head, snickering again. "Oh, clever girl. You think you've figured out everything, but you know nothing of why I chose her. However, you're right, it has nothing to do with her affinity for death. If it were that alone, I would've picked you instead of this dimwit."
Everyone in the room stayed quiet, listening to the dialogue that followed.
"Dimwit?" I muttered, eyes twitching.
She wasn't wrong, though. I was a fool, and Midnight flourished because of my reaction. Though what came out of her mouth would stop me in my tracks.
"I chose you because you're another god's reincarnation. Well, part of his soul, at least. None of that matters, though. By the end of this relationship, she'll either be my tomb or reincarnation." Midnight informed us as I grabbed onto my chest, feeling it burn.
"I'm what?" I mumbled, unable to understand what she meant.
That's impossible. There's no way I'm a god or was one!
"When the next blood moon ends, you or I will be standing. Our souls will merge. If you survive it, you'll get a boost from the powers I have gifted you. You might even help the lingering souls move on, including those of the dead gods." Midnight clarified.
Nothing she ever said made any sense, especially the part where I was a god in another life.
"So, by slayer, you meant something else?" Alijah intercepted, narrowing his eyes.
She turned to him and snickered again.
"She'll have to slay them to help them move on, and it's not something that'll happen within your lifetime either. Your descendants will all have to work until they free the last god from the chains of death. Until they're given a full rebirth." Midnight paused for a moment, shaking her head.
"That was what I strove for. No… that must happen." She added, leaving everyone unsure of her intentions.
"But that's impossible." I tried to deny her.
She huffed, even her feathers puffed up too.
"You already did it once in Azear. Alijah already knows how it works, too. I gave him a crash course on everything you must learn. Though... It seems he's still struggling with it a bit, too, especially the part of the blood moon." Midna pointed out, flapping her wings.
"Yes, you did, but you also failed to mention the most important details. Like always, I guess." He growled.
She flapped her wings again, chuckling. "Oh, was I too vague? If you survive the eternal witch's plan. You must destroy the book with the sword made from my flame; even then, it might be impossible. That book was never supposed to exist."
Vera stepped in again, "But how was the book made? And why was Rem chosen as a vessel for reincarnation?"
Ah… She never stops, does she? Midnight echoed within me.
"Fine, I'll inform you. The oldest of the gods made the book." Midnight answered vaguely.
Caden tilted his head. "Oldest of gods?" He mumbled.
Midnight turned to him, suddenly snickering. He appeared surprised by her approach, too. However, there was no hostility coming from her.
"Yes, Aster, the goddess of order, was the one who created it. Then Orenz, the god of chaos, intervened due to jealousy. They were the first of the old gods to come into existence. They who brew life into the rest of us. Then we create you, mortals." She answered.
Aiden stepped in, too. "So, they were lovers?"
She shook her head, "You aren't the bright brother."
Her assessment caused him to growl at her.
"They were siblings who created the universe you all live in. Though... everyone poured most of our love into this planet, Astea." She answered, rolling her eyes.
Vera continued where our brothers lacked.
"So, are there planets like this one out in the cosmos?" Vera continued her query.
"No... There are stars and empty hulks that the gods left unfinished." Midnight replied, gazing around the room.
Everyone still had their eyes on her.
"They left it unfinished?" my sister mumbled to herself.
Midnight shrugged, "Yes, they did. You see, when Aster created the book, and her brother messed with it, everything went to shit. Gods turned on one another. I attempted to destroy the book to curb this, but my power wasn't enough."
It appeared like bad memories were emerging in her mind.
"Well, not that I could get close enough to try it. My feelings were a mess and made me act foolishly." She stopped for a moment, gazing at me.
A moment later, she shook her head and gazed back at Vera.
"My father made sure of my downfall, too. He wanted the book to destroy the realms so he could create them again." Midnight sighed.
Mom gripped her chest as Shade climbed up over her shoulder. A bad memory from her past emerged—one I didn't know of.
"So, Aster and Orenz were killed by their children?" Mom asked Midnight, who smirked at her in response.
"Yes, pitiful really. They created another god within the book's pages without even knowing. One that seems to want the destruction of everything within the realm of order and chaos." The bird stopped for a moment, gazing down at the table. "Whatever they created was stronger than them both. By the time they figured it out, it was too late."
"When the war began, it didn't matter if you were good or bad. No, what was relevant was what side of the book you were on. Either destroy the book or allow it to do as it pleases. There was no other choice." Midnight added, shaking her head.
"So, the book is a god?" Vera muttered.
What did that elf call it? The book of Life?
"Essentially… It's one as strong as our creators combined, so I wanted to see if I could hitch a ride on Fenrir's newest creation, Rem." Midnight acknowledged Vera's assessment.
Eh?
"The god that created us Lycans?" Dad finally spoke up, realizing Edna and Midnight had been playing a game of chess the whole time.
"Yes, Fenris, you're correct. When Fenrir blessed the Lycans with the abilities of the blood moon, he did it because he wanted to bring back his brother from the soul cairn. Like many of us who rot there, he was a victim of the war that raged on for the book." She continued to retell before turning towards Alijah and snickering.
"Essentially, the first red-eyed Lycans are the reincarnation of a god called Valdios, Fenrir's fraternal twin brother. Also known as the god of destruction." She announced.
Huh? Within Alijah lives a god, too?
"What?" My wolf mumbled, eyes open wide and jaw dropping.
Midnight snickered, enjoying having caught everyone by surprise. She wouldn't stop there. No, my world would be shaken to the core with her words.