Ashes of Betrayal,A Fallen Goddess's VengeanceChapter 1
When I returned to the sect from my travels, all I found of my master was a heap of ruined flesh.
Every bone in his body was gone. My senior brothers and sisters were nowhere to be found.
The Matron Acevedo sat before his corpse, her aged voice calling out to me.
"Lynara, your master traded his life for every disciple's ascension. You should go report to the divine realm too."
Only then did I learn the truth. The Sovereign of the Heavens, ruler of all realms, had needed immortal bones to forge a celestial body for his mortal wife. He'd chosen my master, the one with the strongest spiritual affinity.
In exchange for allowing every disciple of the Dawnveil Sect to ascend, he had ripped every bone and sinew from my master's body.
I've had a flaw for as long as I can remember. I don't cry. I don't laugh. The whole sect called me cold-blooded.
Now, staring at the mangled remains of the man who had saved my life and raised me as his own daughter, I was still calm.
"Matron, did Master agree to this willingly?"
Her eyes reddened instantly.
"Aldric Voss is the last god in existence. What he says goes. We never had a choice."
I gave a quiet "oh."
"If Master didn't agree to it willingly, then Aldric Voss deserves to die."
The Matron seized my arm, her voice tight with worry. "Lynara, before your master drew his last breath, he told all of you to take care of yourselves. Don't throw your life away picking a fight with a god."
I pulled my wrist free, lifted my gaze toward the Nine Heavens, and smiled faintly.
"Matron, Master said not to fight a god. He never said anything about killing one."
——
I turned and walked back to my courtyard. Without a word, I dropped to my knees and began digging through the soil beneath the spirit-blossom tree with my bare hands.
Before long, a short sword caked in dirt saw daylight again.
The Matron rushed after me and snatched the blade from my grip, tears brimming in her eyes.
"Lynara, I know you want to avenge your master."
"But Aldric Voss is a primordial god. With this unremarkable little sword, you cannot defeat him."
"Please don't throw your life away for nothing."
"Your master said it himself. Trading one life for the future of every disciple in the sect was worth it."
But I knew Master was lying.