Yaloom looked up and found the Book's eyes. "You've got to help me, Gabriel. You have enough power to control the G.o.ds. Please forgive me, and allow me to stay. I'll give you anything. I'll even serve you."

The Book's response was cold. "What's done is done. Where would you like to live out the rest of your Peaks? I suggest you choose wisely since they'll be short." A disgusted look appeared on the Book's face. "According to the laws on my pages, you're to be granted one final request. What will it be?"

Yaloom thought for a long series of moments. Eventually, a smile appeared on his face. "I still have a significant amount of power, despite being stripped of my immortality. I also have my memories. I may not be able to seek vengeance in this life, but I can steal my soul from your pages and seek revenge in another."

The Book lowered to a height level with Yaloom's eyes. "I a.s.sure you, once I have your soul inside your designated page, it shall remain there until the moment arrives for your rebirth." The Book crossed his arms. "You have failed to answer my questions. What is your final request, and where would you like to live out the rest of your Peaks?"

Yaloom thought for a moment on how to articulate his request. "I would like you to harness what is left of my power and the memories that I shall list. Put them into a vial in the form of a potion. I wish to be taken to Sam's throne room on Southern Grayham and left with this vial in my possession."

The Book frowned. "Yet again, the Collective has failed to implement laws to govern another matter of great significance."

Yaloom's eyes darkened as his smile spread. "Yes, but the law states that you must grant my final request as long as I do not ask for the return of my immortality. You must give this to me, and you cannot tell the others what I've done."

Gabriel sighed. "List your memories, and then I'll take you to Brandor."

The World of Luvelles The Kingdom of Lavan Just East of Crystal Lake Gage stood on a hillside, looking down at the village that he hoped to make his new home. This can't be it, he thought. It looks abandoned. The structures are uninhabitable.

But it was not his displeasure with the condition of the village that made the badger nervous and sick to his stomach. He knew that without the permission of the Ultorian King, he would not be allowed to stay. His only option was to make his descent to the beach of Crystal Lake at nightfall. This was when the Ultorians would leave their underwater city to come ash.o.r.e.

The badger tapped his cane against a rock near his foot. I hope I haven't made a mistake.

Ancients Sovereign Lasidious and Celestria's Home "Do you think Mosley saw the stain on your gown?" Lasidious questioned as he sat near the green flames that burned inside their cube-shaped fireplace.

Celestria took a seat in her lover's lap, "It appears the residue on my dress is gone. I wasn't the one who removed it, so I would wager the wolf saw our clue and got rid of it before the others could notice."

Lasidious smiled as he removed a flower from the vase sitting on top of the table. He caressed Celestria's cheek with its petals, and after a soft kiss was exchanged, he responded. "You've got to love that wolf. He's perceptive. But can you believe Yaloom's idiocy? How could he make such a mistake? I knew he wasn't the cleverest of minds, but to be made mortal over something as trivial as a poor choice of words is ridiculous."

The G.o.ddess purred as she bit the top of the Mischievous One's ear. "Yaloom wanted to use your creation against you, my pet. He wanted to rub George in your face to get a reaction. It appears you were under his skin even more than you antic.i.p.ated. Now we can forget about this part of our plan and move forward. I'm just glad it's over. He would've only complicated things."

Celestria took a moment to glow in her enjoyment of Yaloom's demise. "I know we spoke of getting rid of him, but I never imagined it would happen without working for it. I just love it when they do our dirty work for us, my sweet."

Lasidious could only smile. "As you know, Gabriel won't be able to draw from either Yaloom or Ba.s.sorine's power when the moment comes to stand against us. Whomever the Book chooses to replace Yaloom will be far weaker beings. This bodes well for us. We have only one more inconvenience to purge. Are we still in agreement that with him out of the way, we'll be able to draw from Garrin's power to hold the Book under our control?"

"We are."

"Then we just need to give Garrin the moments necessary to mature."

"Yes. It'll be delightful to watch his power develop, my love."

Lasidious enjoyed the thought. He took a deep breath and then chuckled. "There's one other matter that we need to discuss. I believe Mosley and Alistar are going to choose Shalee to go after the crystal since her power has grown so quickly. This is an unexpected twist we should use to our advantage."

"Agreed," Celestria confirmed. "Let's plow the road before her feet. I'm sure she'll follow it to the crystal. Do you think you can convince her to abandon her morality?" The G.o.ddess moved to stand before the green flames of their fireplace and then rolled her hands overtop of one another. "I do hope she chooses a darker path."

Lasidious tapped his fingers against the table. "Shalee is bitter after the loss of her child. She's vulnerable. There's no better series of moments to tempt her than now." The Mischievous One changed the subject. "Whom did you find to hold the crystal for us ... someone that'll be grateful, I hope."

Celestria oozed. "Oh yes, and he's gorgeous, my pet. His name is Geylyn Jesthrene. He's a hunter from Hyperia. Geylyn was quite debonair, and he handled himself like a true gentleman ... even inside Grogger's belly. He addressed me in a proper manner. I gave him the crystal and fixed his wonderful head of hair."

Lasidious crossed his arms. "Your l.u.s.t for this mortal is not shared by me."

Celestria moved to her mischievous lover and kissed him. "Your jealousy makes my loins moist, my sweet."

"Hmpf! I bet! Let's change the subject."

Lasidious stood from his chair and moved across the room. "I imagine that Mieonus will choose George to go after the crystal. When she's unable to find him, she'll come looking for us. I think we should implement the next part of our plan."

Celestria closed the gap between them and stroked Lasidious' face. "I agree. But first, you have business to attend to." The G.o.ddess took him by the hand. With her free arm, she used her power to clear the table and then encouraged her lover to lie on its surface. She spoke with a seductive voice as she opened the front of his robe. "You have nothing to be jealous of, my pet. My heart yearns only for you."

"It better."

"Oh ... it does." Her tongue found his...

The City of Brandor When the Book of Immortality appeared with Yaloom in Sam's throne room, the king was asleep. Sam's head was resting against the padding of his royal chair, and the body of his son was still cradled in the palm of his right hand.

Yaloom whispered, "Thank you, Gabriel. This is perfect. Losing my G.o.dliness was unexpected, but I can still control my fate. It won't be long before I'm just another soul living inside a page within my name. I trust you'll give me pleasant dreams as I wait to be reborn."

The Book did not respond. Instead, Gabriel handed Yaloom the vial that was filled with his essence and vanished.

"Perhaps not," Yaloom shrugged. "No matter ... my stay on your pages will be brief."

Yaloom moved across the room and sat next to Sam. He was careful not to startle the king. "Sam, wake up. We need to talk, King of Brandor."

Sam's eyes were bloodshot as he struggled to open them. It took a short series of moments to collect his bearings and focus, but when he did, he recognized the G.o.d's face from pictures he had seen in the Royal Library. The king lifted from his throne, and then placed Sam Jr. on the cushion where the warmth from his body remained.

Without looking at the deity, Sam spoke. "What do you want? I'm in no mood to visit with G.o.ds, Yaloom."

"I understand, but I've come to help you."

Sam's right eyebrow lifted. "It's a little late for that." The king turned to face his visitor. "Exactly how do you intend to help?"

Yaloom opened his hand and revealed the vial the Book had left behind. "I've been stripped of my G.o.dhood. This vial contains what's left of my power and many of my memories. If you were to give this to your queen, she could use it to save your son."

Sam could only stare at the liquid inside the gla.s.s. It glowed light-blue, and it was mesmerizing. He stood fixated for what seemed to be forever before Yaloom snapped his fingers. "Sam, are you paying attention?"

"I am. I'm just tired." The king wiped the sleep from his eyes. "So, if I give this vial to Shalee, you're saying she can use it to give our son life?"

"In a manner of speaking."

Sam frowned. "What does that mean?"

"The liquid could a.s.sist your queen in gaining the power she'll need to teleport to the hidden G.o.d world. Some Peak, after she meets with the Source on Luvelles, she'll be able to make the journey to Ancients Sovereign. She can pick the fruit from the nasha tree. Then, as parents, you could extract the juice from this fruit and use it to retrieve your son's soul from the Book of Immortality's pages."

Sam took a seat on the steps leading to his throne. "Are you saying my boy could live?"

"I am. But there are a few unknowns."

"And they are?"

"I have no way of knowing how Shalee will react to the potion. I do know it won't kill her ... but I don't know how long it will take for my memories to fill her mind or when she'll feel the benefit of the potion. It could happen within a single moment, or it could take several seasons. All I know is this. It'll eventually happen."

"Okay, okay. Hold on a moment. Are you saying this potion will give her the ability to teleport between worlds? Are you saying she'll have the power and the knowledge of the G.o.ds?"

Yaloom shook his head. "I'm saying that her mind will need to open to my memories. Only then will she possess the knowledge to teleport between worlds. But to do so, she must learn to summon magic's ultimate power. Shalee must become G.o.d-like and learn to harness the power that lies within my essence. Only then can she look upon Ancients Sovereign, and only then can she pick the fruit of the nasha tree."

Yaloom stood and looked down at the king. "Without my potion, Shalee will never develop the magic she'll need to retrieve your son's soul." He lifted the vial and held it between two of his fingers. The light from the throne room window enhanced its glow as he extended the potion toward Sam. "Without this elixir, your son will remain a corpse, and his soul will eventually be reborn to someone else on some other world."

Sam cringed. He stood from the steps, walked to the window and looked out across the city. He smirked as two young boys who were chasing each other down the street that led toward the arena. Once the boys were specks in the distance, he turned to face Yaloom. "I know that I'll live long enough to see the Peak when my son's soul is returned. I've acquired a unicorn's horn. I have been using it every night to receive the benefit of an extended life."

A frown appeared on Yaloom's face. "The G.o.ds did not intend for the unicorns' horns to be abused."

Sam shrugged. "Who cares what the G.o.ds intended. But what should I do about my son's body? It could be dust by the moment Shalee gains the power to steal his soul out of the Book. What then? How will my boy benefit from the fruit after he's wasted away?"

Yaloom put his hand on Sam's shoulder. "The condition of your son's corpse won't matter. Keep your son's body protected from the elements. When the Peak comes that you have acquired the nasha, pour its juice over what's left of his remains. The power of the fruit will do the rest."

"Okay, okay. Hold on a moment. I need to wrap my mind around this. Are you saying his soul will return to his body no matter what condition his remains are in, and he'll live again without side effects?"

"Your child's soul will be released from the Book of Immortality, and it will return to his body. This is the power the fruit possesses. After all, this is why the G.o.ds chose to make nasha forbidden. Your son will know his father."

Sam held up his hand. "You didn't answer my question. Will he live without side effects?"

Yaloom shook his head. "Yes, Sam. He'll live as if nothing ever happened, as if he never was expelled. He'll possess the knowledge of the G.o.ds, minus the extent of their power, but he'll be a powerful being in his own right."

Sam rubbed the scruff on his chin. "Why would you do this, Yaloom? There must be something in it for you."

Yaloom nodded. "Of course there is. I'm not that nice."

Sam smirked. "At least you're honest."

"Would you have it any other way?" Yaloom smiled as Sam confirmed he would rather have the truth, and then the fallen G.o.d continued. "This conversation must remain a secret between only us and your queen. The knowledge of our exchange must not be shared with Mosley or any of the others within the Collective. Will you agree to this?"

Sam thought a moment. "I won't say anything, nor will Shalee. But my question was ... why are you doing this?"

Yaloom sighed. "I'm going to pa.s.s, Sam. I would ask a favor in return for the vial. I would ask that your wife retrieve a second piece of nasha from the tree. Use the juice from this piece on my remains. I would ask that you care for my body as you would your son's. I want to live again."

Yaloom took a deep breath. "There's one side effect of the fruit. I will be restored in the form of a helpless baby. I ask that you give me to a good family ... one with a royal bloodline. Save half of the liquid in this vial and give it to me when I become of age. If you agree to my conditions, I'll surrender all that I am to you, so that your son may live."

The king's brows sunk between his eyes. "Why would I give you the second half of the potion? What will it do for you?"

Yaloom smiled. "It'll allow me to have power of my own. It will also extend my seasons and allow me to live a long life."

The fallen G.o.d pushed forward with the conversation. "All your queen will need to do is drink her share of the liquid. My half will not spoil."

Sam pushed his hands through his hair and started to pace. A long series of moments pa.s.sed before he responded. "I'll speak with Shalee. You have my word on that. If she chooses to undertake your proposal, I'll give her half the potion."

Yaloom surrendered the vial. "I'll perish whether she accepts this task or not. I cannot imagine a mother refusing to save her offspring. But if she does, you should drink her half of the potion. Perhaps you could find a way to save me."

Yaloom placed his hand on Sam's shoulder. "By morning, I'll be showing signs of death."

Sam called for one of his servants. "Take this man to the 18th guest quarter, and bring the finest casket you can find to his room."

The king could see the servant had questions, but his response was everything Sam wanted to hear. "Yes, My King."

Sam turned to face Yaloom. "When the moment comes, crawl inside the casket, and shut the lid."

Now it was Yaloom's turn to cringe. "I don't like the sound of that."

"It is what it is," Sam reb.u.t.ted. "There's no other way to put it."

"Perhaps not."

Sam nodded. "My servants will give you anything you ask for. If everything you've said is the truth and Shalee's half of the potion ends up restoring my son's life, I'll do everything you've requested."

The king paused in thought. "The queen and I will raise you as our own once you've been reborn. I'll save your half of the liquid and give it to you once you're old enough. Let's hope Shalee agrees."

"Yes. Let's hope," the fallen G.o.d sighed.

Gage is sitting on the sh.o.r.e of Crystal Lake. He can only hope the Ultorians will allow him to live with the other goswigs.

Head Master Brayson is meeting with the Kedgle King. The creature of illusion has agreed to send 100 of his subjects to protect Gregory for as long as they are needed. In return, the king wants an additional bottle of the rare froslip ale from Harvestom to be delivered to Gregory's palace. Brayson has agreed, knowing full-well it was because of Hepplesif that the extra bottle became a condition of the kedgles' service. Hepplesif will be in charge of the kedgles dispatched for this mission.

George and Payne are lost inside the Book of Bonding that sits on the Head Master's desk. They are wandering in circles. The trees within the fog look the same no matter where they turn.

Athena and Susanne are helping Mary decorate her new home. Garrin is sleeping as the women discuss Brayson's charm.

Kepler is lying on one of the large rocks at the center of the clearing that separates the family homes. After George disappeared inside the Book of Bonding, Brayson brought the cat home. Unfortunately, Kepler is not in a playful mood, and the children have been forced to find a different spot to frolic about after the demon interrupted another game of Capture the Tyrant. Kepler is frustrated-he can do nothing to help George finish the bonding process with Payne.

Sam is with Shalee. He is explaining everything that Yaloom said regarding the forbidden fruit located on the hidden G.o.d world. Something about Shalee doesn't seem quite right. She is agitated and gets upset with everything Sam says. The death of their baby has put a tremendous amount of stress on their relationship.

Mosley plans to go to Brandor, but not until he has given Sam and Shalee the moments necessary to grieve.

During the wolf's last team meeting, the G.o.ds concluded that they had the upper hand since Mosley knew where the third piece of the Crystal Moon had been hidden. They agreed the stain on Celestria's dress was a clue meant to give their team a head start on the crystal's retrieval. They feel as if the answer to the crystal's whereabouts will present itself upon Shalee's arrival at the swamp.

But for Shalee to go to Luvelles, Sam will need to request that his queen be given a temporary Right of Pa.s.sage by the Head Master. She can then catch a ride with the Merchant Angels.

Gregory is inside his palace. He has increased security within and around his tower. He is anxiously waiting for the kedgles to arrive.

Marcus has been storming around his dark tower-palace. The chancellor's fit began when the tobacco for his pipe ran out, and he realized that Gage was missing. The goswig was responsible for keeping his tobacco stocked. Marcus has killed three servants because of the goswig's absence.

Thank you for reading the Luvelles Gazette

CHAPTER 6.

Kiayasis Methelborn The Sh.o.r.es of Crystal Lake GAGE STOOD ON THE Sh.o.r.e as the sun set to the west. He could see the water change as night swallowed the Peak. The worlds of Grayham and Harvestom raced one another as they disappeared beyond opposing horizons, north and south. They were growing smaller by the Peak, and soon, Dragonia would replace Grayham as the worlds continued to move through their orbits. And not long after, perhaps another 15 Peaks, Trollcom would appear in place of Harvestom. This was all providing that the Crystal Moon was restored so that the worlds would not be destroyed.