The Tree of Hope: Chapter Nine

The ninth chapter of the first installment of The Legacies Saga

 CHAPTER NINE 

UNTITLED

"Centuries ago, that coin was stolen from one of the eldest gods," Natasha explained. "It was the first coin ever given to this god, Charon, ferryman of the dead."

"About sixty years ago, we managed to recover it," James said. "Hence why it was in Bellona Square. But, like we said, the gods are gone, so we couldn't return the coin to Charon."

"Not 'gone' enough for Hephaestus to not have a child, apparently," Marrell pointed out. "So, who died for the coin?"

Julia sighed. "Ouranos. He didn't die, being immortal, but he was exiled to Tartarus for all eternity. A past Oracle predicted that his coin could be used to perform a special combination to resurrect Ouranos and gain his full power."

Marrell's eyes widened. "That's why Alaric Burne wants the coin!"

"Yes," Julia said soberly. "But a few more items are necessary for the combination, one of which is a 'tree that grows within the main'. But the Mainworld doesn't have any trees, so we figured the combination was impossible. That's why you three were the only ones guarding Bellona Square. But if Burne thinks it exists... maybe it does."

"We've got to find the tree before Alaric does, then," Marrell concluded. "And the other items of the combination, too."

~+~

Gyan Kirrno terminated the telephone message.

So, the leader of the auronel needed her to track down a couple rogue Upperworlders. Sounded easy enough.

She typed her identification number into the terminal key pad. A set of doors opened wide to reveal a cache of weapons, Celestial bronze, Imperial gold, Stygian iron, and cold, hard, steel. She didn't have enough clearance for the dangerous weapons - ever since the inake were wiped out, only the auronel had that kind of power.

Gyan grinned and started to arm herself...

~+~

Ermot and Filan led the Ofiotian captives back to the Ekinta when they saw the fire.

It appeared in front of them, right beside the elevator door they had emerged from. The flames cleared instantly to reveal a man standing where the fire had been.

The man looked at Ermot, Filan, and the others and grinned...

~+~

Alaric Burne looked at the group of Mainworlders and grinned...

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