The Rise to Godhood
Chapter 31: Leaving Elvonia.

“How could you do this to Gaia?”

Areela felt furious when she saw her brother holding the hand of Princess Imogen like they were lovers, as they met at the royal palace the following day.

“Don’t blame your brother, Areela. Ours was a fated romance, demanded by Fíordhéantóir,” Imogen replied.

“Bullshit. Kailow had a choice. No one took his free will away from him.” Areela exclaimed.

“Areela, I don’t like your tone. Remember that you are our guest, and you should act accordingly.” Imogen replied.

Areela was about to answer when Zelinko put a hand on her shoulder and replied. “Let’s not worry about what has happened. Let’s worry about the future.”

“Kailow will marry me, and he’ll stay on Elvonia as the Prince Consort when I succeed my father, King Concobhar,” Imogen replied.

“I’d rather hear this from my brother.” Areela snapped.

Kailow sighed. It was difficult enough to lose Gaia from his fated encounter with Imogen. Why did his sister also have to get involved? “It is as Imogen said. We will get married and work to transform Elvonia into a utopia.” Kailow said.

“What about Gaia?” Areela asked.

“Princess Imogen is allowing us to Zeto-Charge our sapphires with the Elvonian Zeto Crystal. This gesture should help Gaia’s project on Earth.” Kailow replied with a monotonal voice.

“But you loved Gaia. How can you do this to her?” Areela protested.

“I love her, but I cannot be with the woman who is the physical manifestation of the True Maker. Imogen is the one for me.” Kailow deadpanned.

“Let’s not involve ourselves in your brother’s love life. Princess Imogen, can you lead me to the Elvonian Zeto Crystal. It is crucial for our mission that we charge our sapphires and travel to Earth as soon as possible.” Zelinko said.

“Of course, follow me,” Imogen said and led the group to the Bracashine Temple.

***

“I need to go in by myself. Only I can know the secret of how to Zeto-charge sapphires.” Zelinko stated as they reached the inner shrine of the temple.

“That is not going to happen. I am not letting a foreigner get unrestricted access to the crystal essential for our planet’s ecosystem.” Imogen replied.

Zelinko looked at the elven princess. It was risky to reveal his secret chant to charge the crystals. If Arish learned the procedure, he would have no leverage over his long-term rival. Then again, he could not press his point against Imogen, so he hoped she wouldn’t tell Arish about his methods.

“You can come, Imogen. However, don’t share what I am about to show you, or Arish might show up with a large contingent of Zetans and colonise your planet,” Zelinko warned.

“I wouldn’t worry about that. We are more capable of defending ourselves than you might think, Master Zelinko. In any case, I will follow your advice, and I won’t disclose anything to Governor Arish.” Imogen replied.

“Thank you, princess. Let’s get the ritual underway.” Zelinko said and entered the inner sanctum with Imogen in tow.

***

Gaia felt disoriented when she woke up in the medical ward. What had happened? She remembered the snakebite, but the snakes had bitten her last, so why had no one else reacted to the poison?

“Gaia, so you finally woke up. Zelinko has charged enough sapphires for our project on Earth. The others are waiting for us in the Divine Dimension. We need to leave as soon as possible,” Areela urged.

“What happened? Where is Kailow?” Gaia asked.

“You became sick from the bite of the Elvonian snake of truth, but the elves helped you replace an antidote,” Areela replied.

‘What is she hiding from me, and where is Kailow?’ Gaia thought. A terrifying realisation struck her. Could her mother have manipulated events to make Kailow abandon her for Princess Imogen? Would she make a last-ditch attempt at winning him back if that was the case?

Gaia decided against her far-fetched plan. Regardless of what True Maker had done, it was his choice to be with someone else. Seeing him again would not make any difference, and besides, if he had abandoned her while she was unconscious, he wasn’t a keeper.

“I understand. Let’s hurry back to the Divine Dimension,” Gaia urged and got up from her bed.

Areela nodded, and she helped Gaia towards the portal. While she felt heartbroken over what her brother had done to her best friend, there was nothing she could do about it, so the sooner they left Elvonia, the better. Areela lifted a charged sapphire towards the last rays of the evening sun, which opened a portal. Together they entered the portal and left the planet.

***

Kailow watched how Areela and Gaia left Elvonia as the portal closed behind them. He felt terrible over what he had done. He had abandoned his lover for another woman, and he hadn’t even been brave enough to see her. Kailow had an epiphany. Now that Gaia was alive, they could be together again. True Maker had told him that he needed to sleep with Imogen for his destiny to happen, and he had carried out her plan. Because of his actions, his group had their Zeto-charged crystals, and Gaia had recovered from her poisoning.

Kailow was about to pull up a charged sapphire and run to the teleportation spot when he heard a beautiful voice. “Oh, there you are, Kailow. I have been looking for you. My father is throwing a feast in honour of our betrothal.”

Kailow turned around and looked at Imogen, who was as stunning as ever. His life had changed from that of a servant on Zetani to that of a prince on Elvonia. As much as he loved Gaia, this was the place for him, and Imogen was his wife-to-be.

Kailow put back the sapphire in his pocket, turned around, and replied, “I was watching the sunset. How nice of your father to organise a feast for us. I can’t wait to attend it with my beautiful bride.”

“Great, let’s watch the sunset together and then we’ll be on our way,” Imogen said and took Kailow’s hand. Together they watched the Elvonian sunset, which they would do together so many times over the years to come.