Jade knew what she must do, the last time they had spoken to Bito, they had been in Morpheus domain. The Watergate had already commenced and there had been no way to stop it. Their homes were destroyed and they were forced to migrate to another continent. They were forced to migrate through Hell. Totems had been slain and souls had been lost. That was an experience she did not want to go through again. Not now that they had finally settled down again. Not even to wipe out the Sun. They had a better plan. Jade prayed to Bito, the water serpent, and told him:
“Don’t start another Watergate, we have an alternative.”
She hoped it would reach him and not the Sun, she realized that it had been a bit reckless for her to pray to someone outside their domain. But it was a risk she had to take. She had everything to lose. Once the Watergate had started, there would be no going back. She hoped that this time she would not be too late. She heard a familiar, gentle voice return her prayer:
“I am so glad you’re here.”
Jade cried out in relief as the form of Bito appeared before them as he stepped through the gate from hell. He looked exactly like the last time they had met; a blue serpentine body with the head and torso of an elf.
“Please tell me you didn’t start it already,” she said.
“I haven’t, but I was about to,” said Bito with a sad smile.
“We know the Sun has too much power, but we have a means to stop him,” said Jade. She explained briefly how they planned to use the moon artifact. After which Bito said:
“I am relieved to hear that, Jade. But tell me, have you thought of what would happen after you stop him, who is going to fill the power void? His followers, where will they go?”
Jade frowned, she hadn’t considered that. Which was silly. She hadn’t planned on getting rid of them al and it wasn’t as if the followers would just disappear along with their Totem.
Acnatha said: “Perhaps we could revive some of the Totems that have been consumed.”
“Madigas,” said Iratus.
“Iris,” said Morn.
“Whatever you decide,” said Bito, “You have to divide the power, because too much power in one place attracts the attention of my masters.”
“Your masters?” said Acantha.
“My masters have dominion over this world. They have powers you are unable to imagine. They have the power to shape the world, to rip portals between dimensions and to call things in and out of existence without so much as a flick of their hands. I loathe them because they force their will upon me. You might think I am powerful, but I am a mere tool in the hands of my masters.”
“Are you trying to tell me,” said Lumira, “That there are all-powerful entities that rule the world?”
Bito looked at her for a moment before saying, “Yes, little Sloan, you might not believe in Totems, but not all things need to be believed in in order to exist.”
“So, if I understand correctly,” said Jade, ignoring Lumira’s expression of disbelief, “That when we defeat the Sun, we should split his power so that your masters do not notice a power that is too large.”
“That is correct,” Bito nodded, seemingly glad, “Because if you would usurp its power, you might become a new target for them and I will have to drown you.”
“I had no idea,” said Jade, “That such powers even existed.”
Lumira made a little noise of disagreement.
“But who would we entrust this power to?” asked Acantha. “You have a Totem, right? Jade?”
Jade scoffed, “Yeah, I’m not sure.” She didn’t think giving Morrigan power was such a good idea. When she last had power, Morrigan had her followers ask questions to the Source, obliterating their minds in return for an answer. Jade clenched her jaw. She hoped that if she would ever get around to giving her brothers soul a new body, that his mind would not be broken.
“I trust myself.” said Morn, interrupting Jade’s thoughts.
“I trust you as well,” said Jade, “All of you.” She gestured to her friends. Morn had a point, she thought, if she had even a fraction of the power of the Sun, she could create a safe place for her brother. One in which they would be able to live out their lives together.
“Right,” said Acantha, “That makes sense, doesn’t it? We can divide the power amongst ourselves, so that no one is too strong.”
“Ah, very interesting,” said Bito, he looked genuinely surprised, “Would you take upon you the power of a Totem? The power of a god?”
“Yes, I do what it takes to end the Sun.” said Morn.
“I too accept this power,” said Jade, hoping that she had made it sound like she thought of it as a burden.
Bito looked at Lumira, “What about the last of the Sloan?”
Lumira frowned. “I don’t believe it. Those all-powerful beings you speak of, they don’t exist.”
“Denying the existence of something does not make it false.”
“You say that if I take upon me the power, I will become a Totem.”
Bito shook his head. “Dear Sloan, look at it this way: There really is no such thing as a Totem. There are only very strong people that some people choose to refer to as Totems.”
Lumira opened her mouth to say something and then closed it again. Finally she frowned and said: “That makes sense.” After a small pause, she added: “Alright, I think I am probably definitely responsible enough to take the power upon myself.”
“I will also do it,” said Acantha, “There really is no one I trust more than me. So if I do it, I can be sure that the power is used for a good cause.”
“I accept,” said Kevins.
“I will also accept filling the power void as my responsibility,” said Iratus. “The alternative is not a situation I want to consider as an option.”
Bito let his gaze pass over the the six people standing before him. He grinned, the sheer layer of peace did not quite hide the deep sadness underneath. Then his face screwed up as he started retching.
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