Ends of Magic

The Crater of Fallen Gods didn’t look very different from the other crater lakes they’d passed on the journey. It was one of the larger craters at nearly a dozen miles across. The primary distinguishing feature of the landscape was a slight rise in the very center, where the ground rose above the water in a picturesque peak covered with greenery. But the physical beauty wasn’t what made the area special. There was a brightness in the air, an ethereal light that made the crater's interior seem like a fairytale space. Everything inside was lit evenly from every direction, banishing all shadows. The effect extended deep in the crystal-clear water of the lake, making the waving plants and fish clearly visible.

“Gaze upon it,” Vira said, gesturing out proudly. “The Crater of Fallen Gods. The final, decisive battlefield of the Ending of Deicide."

“Hardly final," Liren corrected smugly. "I haven't made any great study of that war, but there were hundreds of gods spread across Davrar. This was merely the end of the battle of Ostren. But it was the place where the war turned. With the crusades defeated and their priests dead, the gods never regained the offensive.” He swept his hand out at the crater before them. “This was merely one site of several where the crusades were destroyed.”

“Let’s go,” Khachi said, springing up from the ground and making his way into the crater.

“There’s nothing there!” Vira yelled after them as the Heirs followed Khachi into the air and across the crater. “Everybody goes, but it’s a looted cache!”

The Heiurs didn't listen, making straight for the center of the crater. With his enhanced senses, Nathan heard Vira sigh. “They can all fly. When will you learn that spell, huh?” If Liren responded, Nathan didn't hear it.

Khachi wasn’t flying as fast as he could, and the rest of the Heirs were able to catch up with him easily. The cleric probed at the omnipresent light with his own magic. “This is not active magic. It is merely the reflection of the power left behind by dead gods. There are shards of shattered divinity in the aether."

“Just the one god, I think,” Nathan added. He’d almost stayed silent to let Khachi handle this on his own, but his own magical senses were quite a bit more acute than the cleric’s. Depriving his friend of important information was silly.