Chapter 14

Walking away from everything that was going on in my life, I found myself looking on a cliff looking over the forest that surrounded the waterfall. I often had times wandered here whenever I needed a break. It was easy to let my thoughts roam free, all I had to do was keep quiet and take a deep breath.

It would have been so easy to fall and just say goodbye to everything but the weights of the expectations everyone had weighed me down that I couldn't even think to take my life. I had often wondered if I was the one the world needed. If I was ready to save them or if I was going to fail like I feared. Hmm.

'I wonder what Zadra could have meant. Probably just some random dying crazy talk, he was dying. I'd better not pay him any attention. Where's Arthy? It's been long since I last saw him. Ever since Benuak came, it was like I mattered not. Shouldn't blame the guy, she's his long-lost sister. Well, let me go find him and her too.'

As I walked through the greenery, I was transported back to the tales I had heard from the other gods. It was strange how when they weren't fighting each other or actively trying to get me killed, they were friendly.

Often times, they showed a kind of kindness that made me think of the people who enjoyed the benefits of worshipping them and having a close relationship with them. I had asked them a countless amount of times what happened initially been, what caused the rift and even if they were seriously hurt. Angry against her, they refused to share her secrets.

They all collectively told me 'it's better to hear it from her. It's not our story to tell.' I was fed up with that because every plan I made to talk to Anthuina fell on deaf ears. She officially cut off all contact with everyone, even her brother wasn't allowed in. I heard from Ligher, a minor goddess who visited the mortal realm often, that absolutely no child was being born.

No woman was getting pregnant, and even the ones that were weren't giving birth. The babies were stuck in their stomachs and all other crazy things which had been happening.

Everything she said just added to the pressure I didn't want to feel or need to actually. The gods were fighting with themselves more than usual, which had inevitably affected humans.

I wasn't even sure if it was right to go ahead with the fighting or if I should try to settle things with them and work out a peaceful agreement. Though I had to chuckle at that statement, a friendly alliance is improbable, especially with people who loved to nurture their egos.

It wasn't that they were wrong, humans did deserve to be wiped off according to their accounts. But the fact was that by Anthuina 'playing' them, toying with their emotions of guilt at not seeing the future earlier and warning her was hurting them. Now they were no longer her siblings who cared and worshipped the ground she walked on. Now they were all out for two sets of blood, hers and the humans.

'Benuak, why did you drag me out here? Did something happen?'

'Why do you still stay with her? Aren't you fed up with everything? It's not right to continue lying to her and yourself. I can see the bloodthirst in your eyes. You don't have to even get your hands dirty, just accidentally throw her off a cliff or slowly poison her. Just do something already. The others are getting angsty with her still here. Blah blah blah…' Arthy and Benuak were arguing deep in the forest. I had happened upon them while deep in thought.

I couldn't hear what they said clearly because I was far from there. Still, the little, I listened mainly because of Belle's voice (she was extra loud) were in their original language. A few more sentences were exchanged, more gesticulations before they huffed and they puffed away.

I came out immediately, looked from left to right before walking to where they left. They were arguing about something, probably me because that's the only thing they would ever fight about. Still, I couldn't remember what I did exactly.

Upon getting back to the cave, I spotted Arthy braiding Benuak's hair, and both of them were still talking in their language. I didn't fear anything cause their tones were joyful and the smiles on their faces, blinding. With nothing to do, I sat by the edge and watched them until I grew bored at not being involved.

'Would you ever teach me your language? I've been asking for a long time, and you always said it's not important. Still, it's very boring when everyone is talking. You don't understand what they're saying.' Benuak looked at him before fixing her eyes of disdain and hatred at me.

She said a few more words before he seemed to silence her by the frown on her face.

'I do want to teach you Nua, it would just be complicated for you to understand or be able to speak in. if anyone speaks to you like that, you just have to call me, and I'll interpret.' He smiled before going back to his duties.

I had wanted to ask about people having a conversation in front of me like they were and still are doing. Again, I guess by his refusal to answer me in the first place, he wasn't interested in helping me learn.

Realizing there was nothing else he wanted to say to me, I began thinking of the next couple of matches. Laiithu, Anthuina, Benuak, Kasali and Kiluaroth. As the remaining five (don't count Zadra cause he's practically dead), were angsty to get rid of me whichever way they could.

Still, I wasn't sure if any of them was willing to step into the ring and fight against one another. Especially cause no one wanted to go against Anthuina. They were scared of Belle, but it was anger that was leading their choices.

So, if I push her to the final three-round and stack the others against one another, maybe we could have some peace and bloodshed at the end of the day, without tears and anger.

'I'm okay with going against Laiithu. We've got some unresolved tension.' Kasali was absolutely furious, and I pitied Laii because, from the rage in his tone, I'd hate to be the one on the receiving end. And since he had decided on his opponent, that left Kil and Benuak (and I secretly wanted her to die). She was stealing Arthy from me.