Y’edda nodded and placed a hand on Khal’jaren’s tiered shoulder. The Sky Mother lifted her brows, crumpling her smooth forehead.

“I have sensed a coming breach in the sky.
A celestial object which may crash
Into our much belovèd Althanas.”

The other Thaynes nodded, and the sage made notes on his endless scroll. Hromagh smashed his paws together, and reverberations rattled through the ground and Josh’s spine. The Thaynes all stood unphased.

“I too have felt stirrings, deep in the ground,” the Beast God roared. Breaker clung to the ground and glanced over at Gingitsu, almost certain his eardrums would shatter. The silver kitsune had plugged his ears with two of his tales, and gave the demigod an expressive shrug as he took a shot from his flask. Josh covered his own ears, able to clearly hear Hromagh through his hands.

“A heat which has not seen the light of day
For many centuries brews fit to burst.
Soon fire and molten rock shall rain the ground.”

“We know this is not without precedent,” Am’aleh said, so softly Josh nearly missed her melodious voice.

“We expected this eventually.
Now the time has come to put our faith
In those who have been faithful to us all.”

“You speak of your champion the Breaker.” Khal’jaren accused, ceasing his scribbling and crossing his free arms over his narrow chest. The sage god’s voice was drier than his parchment, but carried across the open field.

“You put too much stake in such a mortal.
Joshua Cronen will never save us.
He is a twice blinded fool with no sense!
How could he hope to preserve our great race?”

“You know well as I the power he wields.” Am’aleh shot back, and the sage scribbled on.
“I could speak of the Faith United’s deeds
At length. But you have seen what I have seen.
You know he is our greatest hope for life.”

“Why? Because he commands some small army?”

“Because he will protect those who believe.” She said simply.

The wind blew through the trees, a sound like a horse’s whinny, and Josh looked to Gingitsu with a question.

The Lore Guardian was gone.

Breaker rolled over on the hillside, checking behind him, but the silver fox had vanished along with Breaker’s boots. Fortunately the sandals he’d gotten in return fit comfortably. The demigod turned back around and found the orange meadow empty. The gods had departed while he distracted himself with worries.

He was alone in the Realm of the Thaynes.