promised sparklie, and it very shiney indeed ^__^

[maderr]

Twenty One

Stefan felt torn in two as he took in the men and women so suddenly surrounding them. The air all but vibrated with the power gathered on the high roof of the Citadel. So many colors, from the vibrant shades worn by the Storm Dragons and Zhar Ptitka, to the more somber attire of the Basilisks and Guardians. He didn't know where to look first, or even if he should be looking at all. Nearby Drache and Fritz stood still and silent, but tall and proud behind Sasha.

His place was beside Sasha, and remembering this eased a bit of his tension. Still, these were gods. Beautiful. Exotic. Unfathomable.

Except that they were not completely strange to him – half of him knew them, or at least what they had been, and from his connection with Sasha he knew them as they were now too. The beautiful and half-wild Dragons of the Three Storms, with hair and eyes like the sea and sky. Sasha's feelings in regards to them were complicated – anger and hurt and pain, but all of that woven with respect, even admiration.

Razrusheniye, Holy Zhar Ptitka, his flickering flame eyes gave away the spirit and warmth his slight stature and simple clothes did not. This one Sasha knew well; for the Holy Firebird he felt exasperation and a reluctant fondness to which he would never admit. Stefan almost felt jealous, for this god had been worshipped and obeyed in some fashion by Sasha once, and knew him well – but Razrusheniye had also been the one to send Sasha to Schatten.

Culebra and Cortez. The Basilisks – one was now two, and they made an impressive sight, one pale and pretty, the other scarred and striking, each with a patch over one eye. They immediately commanded respect, and Stefan could feel Sasha gave that, along with admiration – and Cortez reminded Sasha of Sonya, which immediately made him think favorably.

The Holy Guardians of Verde, two where once there had been three. Stefan remembered the ghostly woman who had brought Sasha back to life and his eyes stung. In the unhappy memories of Licht and Teufel he knew how the Faerie Queen had been manipulated – but also that she had allowed it to happen. Still, it was distressing. Nine gods stood once more, but they were not the same nine. For the Guardians was the same respect Sasha showed all the others, but there was also a deep empathy he would never admit to for the pain of losing a loved one – especially a loved one who had caused so much pain.

"You're the child of chaos?" The speaker stepped forward, the newly restored sunlight of Schatten flashing in the jewels threaded through his long hair. Nankyokukai, Stefan knew. His voice was beautiful and sharp, the kind impossible to miss even in a crowded room – but it was threaded with cautious amusement, as if he did not necessarily want to be sharp.

Sasha's voice matched his, as beautiful as ever, though rather too close to the coldness Stefan so hated. "I have always preferred to do things my own way."

"That is certainly true," Gael, the Unicorn, said with genuine amusement. "There was no one more stubborn in all the world than Duke Krasny."

Beside him Freddie, the Pegasus, chuckled. She shared a conspiratorial look with Cortez, who stood beside her. "It is quite true. Krasny there has given us many a headache. I think perhaps your little brother was the only one to whom he was ever nice."

Culebra laughed. "Stubborn but honorable; Krasny would not abuse overmuch a blind man, even a prince."

Sasha stood stiffly as they talked, and Stefan could feel his uncertainty and hated it. Sasha was always confident, but here he was floundering, unsure as to whether or not he was being accepted or rejected. Stefan scowled, the Teufel part of him that by the minute became more fully and naturally a part of himself growing angry.

Nankyokukai spoke again as the others stopped talking, tossing his hair behind his head, chin tilting in challenge. "I did not see becoming a god as the way you would choose to do things. I seem to recall, Krasny, that we had very different opinions on gods."

Stefan cringed. He hadn't meant—

A hand touched his briefly, gently, the thoughts from Sasha at the back of his mind warm and soothing, nothing but love and affection.

"The decision was completely out of my control," Sasha replied, easily meeting Nankyokukai's gaze. "If you want to undo it, you are welcome to – I never had any desire to be a god."

Yet he fit it, Stefan could see that all the way to his bones. The way he'd immediately fixed Drache and Fritz, the Sentinels…and the sunlight. Sasha looked so very fine, even now, in the sunlight.

Nankyokukai looked at Sasha in disbelief. "Out of your control?" he asked.

"I did it," Stefan said, hating that tone of distrust, that after all Sasha had done this was how they treated him – with jokes and disbelief, as though he were not deserving of better. "He was dead. Teufel – I mean before I became Teufel – killed him. Stabbed him in the back, to cause me pain enough I could become Teufel's new body." The words spilled out of him, and not even Sasha's soothing reassurances could stop it. He would not let them speak so unfairly to his Light. "I was weak, I became Teufel – but I couldn't let – and if I had to be Teufel, then Sasha had to be Licht, because there must be light to have a shadow, and Sasha is my light."

A startled silence fell as he finished, and until then Stefan hadn't realized just how much noise there really had been – no one so much as shifted in place now.

Then the other dragons stepped forward – the pale one to gently but firmly tug Nankyokukai back while the other took his place. This was…Raiden…but he was also Tsunami. Of the original nine, he was the only one left. There was a depth to his eyes, as dark and unfathomable as the oceans he controlled, that no one else possessed. "You are quite different, Teufel, than the cold proud shadow I remember. I see the original soul…but the absolute night of it is now a starlit sky."

Stefan shrugged, discomfited. He almost wished he had stayed silent; all this attention…but the Teufel in him would not back down. "I couldn't live without Sasha."

"Teufel always held Licht's heart," Sasha said softly, and gentle fingers cupped Stefan's chin, tilting it up, his gaze locking with those golden, sun-bright eyes. "You've no reason to apologize, sweet." His lips quirked every so faintly. "Especially to this lot."

Cortez laughed, joined by Raz and Freddie.

As it faded Gael stepped forward, eyes intent. "You bear the last fragments of our sister's soul."

"Yes," Sasha said quietly. "Given to repay her sins, though of course I was the one ultimately to blame."

Raiden shook his head. "We all had our faults. We all made mistakes. Though we are not as we once were, we live again and are complete. Let it be enough that we once more are brothers and sisters, and our children safe." He closed the space between he and Sasha, holding out his hand.

Sasha stared a moment, and Stefan could feel the surprise he did not show. Then Sasha held out his hand and shook Raiden's. "Thank you," he said.

"Sasha, is it?" Nankyokukai said, ignoring the warning look given him by Kindan, pulling free of the pale dragon's hold. "What happened to Nikolai?"

"I prefer Sasha these days," Sasha said shortly. "Nikolai belonged to Pozhar, and my home now is Schatten."

"Sasha it is then," Raz broke in cheerfully. "It suits you more than Nikolai anyway." He grinned. "Though I did like Kolya."

Sasha rolled his eyes and did not respond.

Raz strode forward, and then past him, stopping in front of the two priests who had stood so quietly the entire time. "You are Licht's priest…but two bodies…" His smile turned into a pained frown. "Torn asunder, how cruel."

Stefan cringed, because though he had not been the one to rip apart the soul now split between Fritz and Drache – he was Teufel now, which meant he was responsible in some way. Even Sasha's soothing, affectionate thoughts could not ease all his guilt and shame.

"You should be all right, eventually…" Raz continued thoughtfully, reaching up lightly to touch their foreheads. "It helps that through the centuries you managed to keep the bond, after a fashion." He smiled at them. "You should speak with my priest sometime; Dym has lived as long as you, and his position does not really allow for many friends. I think the three of you would get along."

Cortez laughed. "Raz and his pretty priest. Poor Dym must be exhausted every night."

Raz flashed a grin in reply. "As if Fidel or Corinos are any less tired."

Culebra choked, glaring at both of them.

Cortez winked at Raz. "I did not say that."

Stefan flushed at their words, wishing the subject would change.

Instead, he found himself rounded on. "Speaking of pretty," Freddie said, she and Cortez moving in on Stefan. "I can see why our dear Duke found it hard to behave himself. Quite lovely, especially the eyes." She smirked at Sasha. "Were you a bit distracted, child of chaos, on your journey to save Schatten?"

Sasha rolled his eyes at them. "Behave," he said shortly.

Cortez snorted. "Where is the fun in that?" She petted Stefan's hair. "Anyway, you have no room to talk, Licht. I can see quite clearly the one thing you do not do around your shadow is behave."

Stefan could feel his face burning, but did not want to retreat and seem rude – but he was saved from his agony when Sasha abruptly jerked him close, well away from the two women petting him.

"Stop touching him," Sasha said.

Raz's eyes glowed and burned, smiling in gentle amusement. "I am sorry to lose such a fine Duke, but you make a far better brother, Sasha."

Sasha blinked at the words – then gave a short nod.

"I think Sonya would be amused and pleased as well, though she would be likely to knock you a good one."

"No – don't tell Sonya." Sasha's expression was adamant. "I made my break with her."

And it tore him apart, Stefan could feel that immediately. He sensed normally Sasha would be more careful about his feelings being so easily accessed, but there was too much going on for him to contain it all.

"I don't think—"

Sasha cut Raz off with a sharp motion. "I said do not tell her. She is better off without me, and believes me long gone. Let her get over it, because I am more removed now than ever I was before. She's lost enough; let her move on.

"You are wrong," Raz said, "but it is your decision."

Raz turned away, but his flickering eyes briefly caught Stefan's – and he knew suddenly that Raz was up to something, and he was dragging Stefan into it. He blinked, and quickly buried the thought, not wanting Sasha to know the surprise he and Raz apparently now had in mind.

Conspiring with a god. Stefan felt he was breaking some rule even thinking such a thing. But the Teufel in him merely laughed, delighted to do something for Licht, amused he would be conspiring with Zhar Ptitka.

"So what now?" he asked Sasha, twining their hands together, needing something else to think about even if the new thought wasn't exactly calming. "I didn't expect to end this adventure as Teufel."

Sasha smiled and tugged him close, brushing a soft kiss across his mouth. Stefan could feel the surprise of the others, seeing Sasha so openly affectionate – not something, he supposed, they associated with Duke Krasny.

Which just went to prove they didn't know him well at all. Stefan held tight to Sasha's hand, determined to never let go of this man who for some strange reason wanted him.

"The adventure has only begun, sweet," Sasha said, suddenly more Licht. "Our lands and people need healing; there is the faith and the trust of those people to regain…we have a great deal of work ahead of us, sweet. Schatten has long been separated from the rest of the world; reuniting it will take a very long time all on its own."

Gael smiled. "Which makes it all the more fitting, really, that the infamous Duke Krasny is our new Licht. I can see the tariff arguments of old are far from over."

"Never," Sasha said with a faint smile.

"Oh, good grief," Freddie said with an exaggerated sigh. She pulled Gael back before he could engage Sasha in a true debate on the matter. "Here I thought those battles firmly in the past. Ah, well. We had best go and warn our country." She smiled and released Gael, striding close to kiss Sasha on the cheek. "Welcome, and welcome back."

Sasha kissed her cheek in return. "Thank you."

The Pegasus and Unicorn vanished.

"Yes, I think it is time to be returning home. We will leave you to your housecleaning, so to speak. Come and visit, brother," Cortez said, kissing first Sasha's cheek, then Stefan’s. She smelled like smoke and roses, a perfect match to her scarred but somehow lovely face. In the next moment, she and Culebra were gone.

Raz laughed. "I don’t think I ever would have guessed things would end this way, though I always sensed Pozhar would cease to be your home."

"I was born a child of the Firelands," Sasha said.

"We are neighbors," Raz said. "Come and visit when you stop being stupid about not seeing the Queen."

Sasha merely looked at him, and Stefan understood a bit more why he'd once been the 'infamous' Duke Krasny.

Raz merely snickered and waved to those who remained before vanishing.

"I guess this means attempting to freeze you won't be nearly so satisfying," Nankyokukai said, but amusement lingered in his eyes. "Will you be reopening the northeast harbor?"

"That is for me to decide and you to find out," Sasha retorted. "Go play in the surf, dragons."

Raiden laughed, Nankyokukai smirked, and as they vanished Stefan could see Kindan rolling his eyes.

Stefan stood silent, not certain what to say or do now. He sensed the fact he was nearly a god himself would not settle or become real for a very long time.

"Do not think upon it," Sasha said gently, stroking his cheek. "If it ever become too awful a thing for you to bear, we will deal with it then."

He nodded, unable to speak, caught entirely by the image before him – of a blue sky and brilliant sunlight, the land below bright and brilliant. The sunshine caught in Sasha's hair, making it blaze, but nothing could outshine those golden eyes. "Sasha…"

Hands cupped his face, and then his mouth was taken, Sasha kissing him long and slow and sweet. When the kiss finally ended, Stefan could still feel it on his lips. "What does my Lord Licht want to do now?" he asked, cheeks flushed but enough boldness in him now to try and tease, Sasha's gentle affection at the back of his mind an encouragement.

Sasha laughed and slid an arm around his waist. Nearby Drache and Fritz laughed, the wind tangling the sounds together and carrying them away over Schatten. "Now, sweet, I go to find a bed. After all the traveling and fighting and killing, the weather and hard ground – this god longs only for a proper bed. What say you, my priests?"

Drache and Fritz chorused their agreement, and they all left the roof to go and reclaim their Citadel and make it once again a home and the heart of Schatten.





Epilogue


Stefan smiled shyly at the beautiful woman standing before him. She had come quietly into the country, under thorough but discreet escort and the guise of a period of rest. Tall and proud and elegant, the very definition of refined. What struck him most, however, was her undeniable similarity to Sasha.

"Majesty," he said, bowing low.

"You are a pretty one," Queen Sonya murmured, immediately moving forward to pat his cheek, stroke his hair, making Sasha flush all the more. "I hear often from my ambassador about the young Shadow of the Lord Licht – words do not do you justice, my dear." She smiled and patted his cheek again. "Forgive this old Queen any impertinence."

Stefan shook his head, bemused as ever by the things people said about him. He was sure it wasn't common to be touched and praised so, but he could not seem to stop them – and she really did look a lot like Sasha. That gained her much. "I thank you for coming, Majesty. I know getting here, and so secretly, was no easy task."

"I rarely get to undertake such adventures," Sonya said with a smile. "Do tell me why, however. I admit my curiosity is killing me."

Hesitantly Stefan held out his arm, smiling when Sonya promptly took it and walked alongside him, through the black and white halls of the Citadel, her deep scarlet and gold dress shockingly bright. Jewels glittered at her throat, caught by the sunlight spilling in.

"My Lord Licht," Stefan said slowly, "is somewhat reclusive. He was the same before the gods were lost, and that aspect of his nature has not changed with his restoration."

Sonya tilted her head quizzically.

"I would like you to meet him," Stefan continued. "You need to meet him." He smiled. "He will not meet you himself, believing things are better as they are."

"I…am of course most honored to meet Holy Licht," Sonya replied. "Why all the secrecy and trouble, for something which does not require it?" Her lips twitched. "My councilors panicking aside, of course."

Stefan grinned. "Because if Licht had known you were coming, he would have been certain the two of you did not meet."

"What?" Sonya frowned, confusion growing.

"This way," Stefan said softly, pushing through a door and leading them into the garden beyond. He stopped at the edge of a stone path that wended its way through the elaborate flower garden. Everywhere was color; not a single shade seemed to be unaccounted for. Sunlight shone down upon them, turning every petal jewel-bright. He smiled when she would have spoken. "I promise, Majesty, that everything will soon make sense."

The deep frown did not leave Sonya's face, but she obediently nodded and walked with him through the garden. As they turned the last bend, Stefan slipped free of her hold and stood slightly back.

Sonya gasped and for a moment said nothing – Stefan could not blame her. Sasha was beautiful always, and positively breathtaking in this moment. Sunshine seemed to pour down upon him, making his fair skin almost glow, setting his deep crimson hair ablaze, almost but not quite matching the brilliance of his eyes. He stood amidst the white flowers the people had taken to calling 'Licht blossoms', tending them idly, seeing and feeling those things which only a god could.

"Kolya!" Sonya finally exclaimed, and Stefan finally let spill the thoughts he'd so carefully been keeping hidden from his lover, his light.

Sasha's head jerked up, a blossom tumbling from his fingers, eyes going wide as realization and Sonya's voice struck him. He spared Stefan a brief look, somewhere between shock and anger, dismay and happiness, before fixing his gaze upon his cousin. "Sonya."

She strode forward, all but running, seemingly oblivious to the tears running down her cheeks. "Oh, Kolya – I thought you were dead." She stopped in front of him, and raised one hand – then let it fall. "Kolya…"

Sasha took the hand she'd let drop in his own, holding it tight, tugging her into an embrace. "You were better off thinking so."

"Do shut up or I will change my mind and slap you after all," Sonya retorted. She buried her face in his chest, words muffled. "Kolya – how could you do that to me? The way you left, and then Dym told me—"

"What?" Sasha asked. "What did Dym tell you?"

Sonya looked up, brushing away tears. "Truly I want to slap you, Nikolai. Why did you never tell any of us about your heart? All these years, and the things I asked of you could have killed you…"

"They didn't kill me, and he should not have told you anything," Sasha replied. "I will pluck that bird's feathers if he does not tell his priest to keep his mouth shut."

"He is my friend," Sonya said. "You and I parted unhappily, though I sensed you were doing it for 'my own good' as was ever your way, Kolya. Still, it depressed me. We are cousins, but you have always been my brother. Everyone else had left me…then you did, and I learned from Dym that your heart was weak, had always been so…and I knew then you had gone off to die alone." She started crying again. "Why did you not tell me you were still alive, Kolya?"

Sasha turned away, idly stroking the petals of a flower. "I had caused you enough pain, Sonya. I thought it best I stay firmly from your life from now on…especially as I am now…"

"Yes, you are a god now," Sonya said, sudden laughter breaking into her tears. "Of all things! A simple thief became Holy Zhar Ptitka, and my cousin is Lord Licht. I can scarcely believe it!" She swatted his arm. "You should have told me, Kolya."

Sighing softly in defeat, Sasha nodded and bent to kiss her cheek. "Yes, Sonya. I am sorry. You have always been my sister, and I only wanted what was best for you."

Sonya held him tight, kissing his cheek in return. "Oh, Kolya. You always did what you thought best – for everyone but yourself." She stepped back a little bit, eyes narrowed in concentration as she looked him over. "Are you happy now? Finally? You were a happy child…and then one day you were not, and I could never figure out who broke your heart and spirit. Now I see much of the boy who was lost."

"Yes, Sonya," Sasha replied. "You are well?"

"I am now. You were all I had left, Kolya."

Sasha hugged her tight. "You always have me, cousin. One day, you will have everyone back again."

Laughing, Sonya kissed his cheek again and finally pulled away. "I wish the others were around to see what you have become." She gathered her skirts and looped her arm through Sasha's. "Now, won't you tell me all that transpired with you from the moment you left?"

"As if I have a choice," Sasha grumbled, but good naturedly. "Come and meet my priests, and have some tea, and you can hear the full of it." He shot Stefan a look. "After I yell at my shadow for keeping secrets from me."

Stefan smiled, knowing very well Sasha was no longer angry, and tilted his head up for the kiss Sasha gave him before they all went back inside.




Years Later


Kundou

The Queen walked slowly along the beach, smiling fondly at her grandson despite the worries weighing down upon her.

She was old, long past the time she should have retired – but no heir had appeared. It made her cold with fear and heavy with despair that perhaps none ever would. Maybe it was the fate of her family to finally cease to be the royal line. After all that her bloodline had done to retain the stolen power…perhaps it was only fair. She should be grateful the Three Storms had seen her fit to rule after stripping the rest of her family of their power.

"Kanchou!" She called out sharply to her grandson as he drew too near the water. Obediently the boy backed off, looking contrite, and with a stern nod Queen Umiko relaxed.

Sixty five. She wanted to rest, to settle down quietly and no longer have to handle all the affairs of her country. She loved it, but it was time to hand the duty over. She had earned her rest.

Sighing softly, she began to hum an old tune. Even after all these years, she remembered the brother who had first sung it to her, had sung it every night when she'd been unable to sleep. If Kyo were still around, she wondered, would he have made a better leader? She'd always thought so, and thought it still, and for him she had always done her best to be a good Queen.

Turning back from the sea, she realized her grandson had vanished. Eyes widening in fear, she began to call for him, wishing she was strong enough to run. He must have gone past the rocks where she normally ordered they stop and turn around to return home. Oh, that boy. So like his mother, never listening to his betters!

Picking up her pace a bit, snarling at her old bones, Umiko strode past the rocks – and stopped. Her hand went to her throat, gripping the soft linen of her robe, wishing in vain she could remember how to breathe.

Three men, all so stunning to look upon. As though from a dream – such beautiful, striking men could not be real. Except the third…oh, that was a face she would never forget. "Kyo?" she whispered, but the word was snatched away by the wind, carried away from the three men – and her grandson in their midst.

He held his arms up, always a precocious child, and laughingly the man with midnight blue hair picked him up, said something to him that Umiko could not hear.

The pale-haired man ran his fingers lightly through Kanchou's hair, and what had before been unremarkable dark green suddenly turned a vibrant ocean-blue, as beautiful as her own hair had once been before silver began to dominate it.

A moment later Kanchou squirmed free and all but jumped down to the sand, and the wind carried his laughter as he ran back the way he'd come – straight to Umiko, who steadied the boy as he clung to her skirts and began to talk a mile a minute.

She looked back up, unable to form words – but the man who looked like Kyo, still so young and beautiful, smiled briefly at her before a booming clap of thunder caused her to look reflexively up.

When she looked down again, the men were gone.

"Incredible," Umiko said softly, knowing exactly what she'd seen. She took her grandson's hand and turned them back toward home. "Come along, darling, your mommy will begin to worry." As would all her councilors and family and secretaries…

Until they saw Kanchou's hair, and realized there was a new heir. Then she could rest. She thought again of what she'd seen, the way Kyo had smiled, how beautiful and happy he had looked. Yes, she could rest – and finally be at peace.




Pozhar

Dym strolled through the quiet Cathedral, enjoying the rare silence. He was happy to be once more the Priest of Ashes, to be what his Eminence always intended…but he liked these quiet nights too.

It was abruptly shattered by the sound of something heavy crashing to the hard stone floor. He whirled around, gray robes snapping, and strode back down the central aisle, grabbing up the culprit before he could flee. "Good evening, Misha."

"Good evening, Lord High Priest," Misha replied, not sounding terribly guilty or contrite.

Dym slowly let him go, nodding approval when he did not try to flee. "Where are you supposed to be?"

"In bed," Misha replied, looking as though that were a dire place to be indeed. "I couldn't sleep. I tried. I wanted to come look at the windows."

"Oh?" Dym asked. "Misha, you look at the windows all day."

Misha shrugged. "I like them. They're more interesting than going to stupid bed."

Dym laughed softly. "Which windows are your favorites?"

"All of them," the boy said, almost before Dym had even finished the question. "I want to know them all."

"I see," Dym said. "I did not know your interest was so great, Misha."

Misha nodded, sticking his chin out defiantly. "I want to know."

"Then you can begin by not running late, not knocking things over, and going to bed when you are told," Dym said, firm but gentle. "One who seeks knowledge and wisdom must first and foremost possess discipline. Go to bed, Misha, and come to me after breakfast and I will begin to teach you what you want to know." He held up a hand when Misha would have bolted. "What do you say?"

For a moment Misha looked confused – then his expression cleared and he smiled, looking sheepish. "I'm sorry for knocking over the candelabra. And for being up late. Um—thank you Lord High Priest. Good night."

"Good night, Misha."

He laughed softly as Misha ran off.

"From thief to priest," Raz said from behind him, and a second later Dym felt arms slide around him, the heat of his Eminence great – and distracting. "It is rather entertaining. Are you going to work him hard, my priest?"

Dym twisted, looping his own arms around Raz's shoulders, unsurprised when he found himself being thoroughly kissed. "Of course," he said when Raz finally ended the kiss.

"So what are you doing the rest of the evening, my dearest Dym?"

"Whatever your Eminence desires," Dym replied.

Raz grinned and reached up to kiss him again, not stopping until Dym was left gasping for breath and feeling rather like he was on fire. "Then come, pretty priest, and work me hard."

"Yes, Eminence," Dym replied, and together they vanished from the cathedral to return to their home.





Piedre

Culebra waited, listening to the footsteps on the stairs. They were slow, hesitant, as though the visitor was not certain he should be there.

When he finally appeared, he was both young and old in appearance.

Young because he could not be more than a day over thirty; fit and trim, in perfect condition, dark skin gleaming faintly with sweat from the summer sun which blazed outside. He shivered slightly in the much cooler air of the dark mountain temple.

Old because his eyes held depths and shadows no man his age should. His eyes were old and tired, completely at odds with the rest of him.

He stood in the doorway, uncertain.

Culebra beckoned him forward, sitting back in the stone chair on the altar at the back of the main room of the temple. "You are the first to return."

The man touched his neck, tracing from rote the thorn and rose tattoo there. "Most Holy."

Culebra stood up and beckoned the man come closer still, until only the few short steps of the altar separated them. He reached out and touched the man's neck – and the tattoo began to fade away.

"You have paid your price," Culebra said gently. "Your lesson I see has been learned. From this day forward, you are free to do as you please, to live or to die, and my blessing I give." He touched the man's forehead, which flared briefly with a pale gray rose blossom, before it too faded away. "Stay, or go, the choice is yours, dear child mine."

The man nodded, and briefly looked close to tears – but after a moment he recovered himself, and much of the weight he had been carrying when he first entered vanished. His eyes, though still old, were not as haunted. "By your leave, Most Holy, might I rest here for a time?"

"Of course," Culebra said, and pointed. "Through that door you will find all you need. Remain as long as you like."

Bowing low, the man murmured his thanks and then made for the door Culebra had indicated.

"Well, that was not so bad, little brother."

Culebra sighed. "They will not all go so well. I was harsh with them…" He resumed his seat with a sigh.

Cortez strode up to the altar and sat on the arm of his chair. The smoke of her cigar floated around them, pungent and faintly sweet, tangling with the lingering scents of stone and roses. "Do not be pessimistic." She lightly tapped his eye patch, then her own. "All is well, eh?"

"Yes, big sister," Culebra said, unable to resist smiling.

"That is the correct answer," Cortez said, and dropped a brief kiss on his lips. "I am pretty good at this whole thing, eh? Women do everything better than men."

Culebra rolled his eyes and pushed her off his chair. "Go play with your most faithful follower, since he actually believes everything you say."

Cortez snickered. "Getting rid of me to go molest your bodyguard? Have fun. Do not forget you have a penitent in the temple now. We would not want our children to see us doing naughty things in the hallway or upon the altar."

"I have never done anything inappropriate on the altar, and you had better not either," Culebra retorted.

"Of course not," Cortez said, and her laughter still echoed after she had vanished.




Verde

They stood before the great Oak, hands clasped and resting upon it.

"It is not really the same," Freddie said softly.

"No," Gael agreed, "but we are managing just fine as two rather than three. That is what counts."

It would never get easier, accepting that of the original nine two had gone too far. But not all parents were good for their children…

He smiled at Freddie as their hands fell away from the tree, the ceremony of renewal complete. "The balance remains, all is well, and she is with us always if not here. That counts for something…and no one can say what may come."

Freddie smiled faintly. "Not anymore, no. Only the barest threads of fate still wrap around our world. Licht has truly become one of us, this time. I wish…" She shrugged. "As you say, she is with us. That the world is flourishing says all that needs to be said."

They linked arms as they strode down the long hallway, back toward the castle proper. "Your kitten still does well, even after all this time?"

"He does. Your bat?"

"She is well. I saw a pack of wolves the other day." Freddie smiled at him.

Gael rolled his eyes. "Yes. That group never changes much, from one life to the next. Never anything but mischief and trouble."

Freddie laughed. "Charming and delightful."

"That is because they do not wreak havoc in your territories," Gael replied. "One of these days I am going to send them back to Raz, let him deal with them."

"I think they'll return to the Firelands eventually," Freddie said, still laughing.

They fell silent as they pushed through the doors, stepping out into the castle – currently packed to the limit with people who burst into exuberant cheers.

Gael let Freddie do the majority of the speaking, content to watch. The land of Verde was most definitely happy, restored fully to its glory. The bickering of so long ago was gone, their Beasts were all that they should be every time they came together again…it was still occasionally hard to be two, not three, but Etain had ensured they would survive without her.

And from time to time he could see traces of her in their children – a familiar smile, vibrant blue or green eyes, the way she held herself…Etain was gone, but still there, and they could live with that.

He smiled as a sleek black panther lightly climbed the steps and rubbed against his legs before sitting at his side. Reaching out, he stroked the panther's head with easy, familiar motions, smile widening as the great cat began softly to purr.

As Freddie finished speaking, Gael stepped forward to offer closing remarks, ending with a flourish to dismiss everyone to the festivities. He and Freddie would watch for a time, and spend idyllic time with their Beasts, letting the people see those whom they worshipped.

Then he would be able to slip away, and enjoy a few quiet hours with his lover, content that all was as it should be.




Schatten

The sun was high overhead, casting sharp shadows on the land. Sasha sat upon the rock which gave the city of Gold Rock its name. Trees surrounded him, rustling with the wind, the shadows they cast moving wildly, alternately casting Sasha into darkness and light. When they finally settled for a time, he was in both – half his face hidden by cool shadow, the other bright with sunlight. His hair fell loose around his shoulders, and he tucked it back idly as he continued to sit and watch the city far below.

A branch snapped, drawing his attention, and Sasha slowly stood and turned around. He lifted one brow. "Raz."

"Sasha," Raz greeted, walking toward him, smiling warmly. In his arms was a bundle of blankets, and as he approached the bundle stirred and began to fuss. Raz soothed the baby with soft, gentle words, smiling fondly as he finally reached Sasha.

"What in the world are you doing hauling a baby around?" Sasha asked, pulling the blankets far enough apart to glimpse the child buried within them. It was still red and wrinkled. "It cannot be more than a few days old."

Raz nodded in agreement. "Born in the city, and the mother asked I bless it. When I saw the soul, I thought perhaps you would like to cast a blessing of your own."

Sasha took the baby as Raz handed it over to him, suddenly bemused. The wind sprang up again, snatching at his vibrant hair, and he absently combed it back. His eyes grew distant as he looked at things only a god could see, glowing faintly, echoing the sunlight above them. The wind-stirred trees cast their restless shadows, throwing the small group sporadically in and out of shadow.

"He will have an interesting life," Sasha said quietly. "Hopefully he will make wiser choices than he did before."

"Oh, I think so," Raz said cheerfully. "His soul bears the marks of one who has learned his lessons well. I think perhaps this time he will be brave enough to go after happiness. I suppose we shall see, though."

Sasha gave an absent nod, still watching the baby intently. When it began again to murmur and fuss, he gently touched his fingers to one small cheek. The baby immediately fell silent, its eyes drifting closed.

Carefully he traced the soft, pudgy lines of the baby's face, settling at last on its forehead. "What is his name?" he asked.

"I was asked to give it one, as part of the blessing," Raz said. "I was thinking of 'Faddei'."

Sasha contemplated the baby for a moment, then gave a slow nod. "Yes, that works well." He murmured quiet words, too low for even the wind to snatch away, and on the baby's forehead briefly glowed the sunburst sigil that was his mark. It faded slowly away. Sasha's eyes flashed brilliant gold for a moment, then settled. He handed the baby back to Raz. "Thank you."

Raz shrugged, smiling at him. "It seemed fitting."

Sasha simply nodded again, and Raz vanished. Sasha turned back to his rock and resumed his seat, lost in thought as he watched his children far below, pulling up one booted foot to rest his arm upon it.

A second later he looked up, a smile curving his face as he watched Stefan walk slowly toward him, violet hair snatched by the wind, clothes teased by it. When he was within reach, Sasha dragged him close to stand between his thighs and kissed him deeply. All around them the shadows of the trees continued to dance and play with the light.

~Lost Gods End~