The Chapel of Alissicies was gorgeous. Midnight blue carpets were unfolded over the fine stone finish. The walls were a wooden structure, and drapes of cloth came from the walls, the crescent their signature. Agular had been drinking the red potion, a sip every four hours. Its affects were not permanent, and never would be. They could do nothing else for him, than offer the potion. Chapel pews were to the left and right, as if to expect an audience beside the zealots who lived inside the building. Revar was on his knees in the center of the square center, two halls to each side leading down different paths. His sword was gently placed against the stone as he rested his body against it.

Almorah was in awe every time she entered the chapel. Though two halls led to the right and left, which circled back containing the court yard outside, which she did often visit. The violets, white roses, and other unknown plants completely fascinated her, both in beauty and in simplicity. She wasn't the only one who loved the guarding in the court yard, Agular worked in there every day. He would find fruit, which the monastery typically knew nothing about. The women of the temple were always singing songs of hope and joy. This was the one place that war, seemed to never touch, somewhere peace always was.

In the middle of the monastery was a white flame. Agular looked towards Revar, nearly regretting that he did.

"Revar, what is the white flame? What is it significant?"

Almorah spoke up, as if natural, "It is a gift; it's one of the gates to Hell, if the flame dies then man is doomed."

"Ah, surprising! You are certainly bright! Few know the secrets of the flame, something we guard with our lives, but I suppose I gave it away with last night's discussion."

"Not much more than a hint I would say," Agular replied, turning to his sister, glad he had the excuse to do so.

"Well, even so, I think it remarkable; perhaps this is why you have been chosen. Or maybe the goddess has given you enlightenment?" Revar proclaimed.

"What?" Almorah questioned, "Chosen, by a not even existent goddess?"

"Ah, but same was said about the Sun God, and yet he has been watching." Revar smiled.

"What exactly have we to do, in such a peaceful state? Helm is lost, we have no safe passage to the remaining forts, if they are indeed remaining; and even if we tried it would be certain death. We cannot save Dechoneus this temple lacks the soldiers, the man power." Almorah shouted with impatience, "We are hopeless in this cause, my brother can't even fight."

Revar smiled his forced smile, as always, "My lady, look around you, we live to protect the flame. As do all of our faithful members, you should touch the flame. It will choose you, if needs be you be chosen. But from the looks of it, the God's have already made their mark."

"Place my hand into the fire? Will it not burn me? My mark, what is it you speak of?"

"Ah, your eyes, the golden eyes most commonly seen in Inger from their past fathers. Genetic of course, however the gods have chosen you, a rare occasion indeed; you have a great work to accomplish. And the flame is harmless."

"My eyes, how do you know this?" Almorah asked.

"Touch the flame, and it should be revealed, at least, what Alissicies will reveal."

Almorah walked skeptically towards the fire. She placed her hand over the flame, glancing back at Revar's forced, yet reassuring smile. The man constantly looked as if in pain. Almorah hesitated, her feet turning to rock, and her hand moving as a branch in the wind. She closed her eyes placing her hand into the fire.

Her eyes were open as the gods gathered around her, Claydrin smiled. Arrivail admired her, and the others looked with curiosity. Slowly the mood changed from gloom and mystery, to welcome and joy. She looked about, but there was no Sun God, though Revar claimed he had found them, nor the God of War and Smithy, Hevilian. Almorah looked about them, in wonder.

"Almorah, do you know our names?" Claydrin smiled, his face quit familiar.

"You are the Claydrin, Father of Time, beside you, Arrivail, Mother of Men, and a Goddess of Safe Passage. Oxroses of the Deep, God of Destruction is exiled, to a realm called Hell. Halvier, God of War and Smithy is not among you, nor God of the Sun, Bringer of Life. Yet still surrounds me is Balvia, Goddess of the Earth, Valia, Goddess of the Sky, Gravius, God of the Lumesc, who is said to hold it on his back, and God of Dreams, Visions, and Magic, Calpigher." Almorah replied, looking about the room.

Claydrin's milk white beard had turned to a more solid black color, though still greying. His firm brown eyes were much like Cladius's, with a warm glow. He wore a metal breastplate and armor, covering him from shoulder to foot. His beard reached just below his neck barely touching his chest, but still soft. Arrivail was dressed in a green white gown, the color of hope. Her bright beaming smile was enough to melt any heart, and her brown eyes had the same familiar warm glow, being soft, not as dark as Claydrin's.

Balvia, Goddess of the Earth, and great Harvest, was said to bring about spring, and hold onto summer, until letting go in the fall. She had red hair, and soft green eyes, with a firm jaw. She was busty, and slim, keeping up with appearances of impossible standers. She had a tough voice and keen sight, and smelt of fruit. Beside her was Calpigher, who smiled like a crazed jester. He wore a long robe, and brown leather boots, he rubbed his go-tee and titled his head up, as if a jokester. He smiled with happiness, as he laughed from his actions. His wife, Balvia, kicked his leg, to keep him in check, reminding him of his place, by whisper of the ear.

Valia of the Sky, Goddess of Shifting Winds, showed a bubbly personality. She was cute, small, and not as tall as the rest of the gods. It was amazing that she was the God of Smithy's wife. She seemed sweat. She was said to bring about the peace after war, also earning her the name of the Peace Goddess. Her blonde hair fell down to her shoulder, with a wide smile, and cute soft expressions with her round face. She wore a blue, white and purple dress, with golden seams, and a golden crown. She, by far, had the best forged metal ever seen by Almorah.

Claydrin smiled as he let her digest her situation, "You are well versed, and through the years, our roles will expand through our children. Ye ask where the smith, and sun be, I will tell you they now forge the weapon of the Sun God. Lux my son has come to call it, to bring light back to man."

"What of Cladius, where be he?" Almorah questioned.

"He is very much alive." Claydrin replied.

"What is he doing, where is he?" Almorah questioned.

Claydrin knelt down at the woman, placing his hand on her shoulder, his touch familiar. It was warm, as if to reassure comfort. He was indeed the father of the world. Almorah smiled, Cladius was not dead, yet she couldn't but feel angered, that he had not returned.

"Your anger is unfounded, Cladius wants nothing more than to be with you, and restore Helm." Claydrin replied, "But certain task must be performed first, as you must be aware."

"I fail to understand, why could he not bring me along?" Almorah questioned.

"Ah, because you have a different destiny, all will be clear soon, young Almorah." Claydrin smiled.

"What is my destiny? What must I accomplish? Revar speaks of my marking. Why my unique coloring, something I was ridiculed for in my youth." Almorah said in complete and utter confusion.

"Your eyes are a gift from the Hevilian, and your hair was your birthright. You have the warriors, blood; your eyes speak to this truth. You are the only woman, and only Helmish mortal to poses such a trait. This is why less training was needed for you to complete your swordsmanship. This is why you fight with vigor, and valiant heart." Valia said smiling.

"You are a gift." Claydrin reassured.

Almorah smiled brightly as the two men glanced at her, her hand still in the flame. Agular looked about, glancing back and forth between Revar, and Almorah.

"Is she okay?" Agular questioned.

"Indeed, it appears the Gods commune with her. She has been accepted by the flame. Most people receive simply visions, flashes, but she communes with Zelstine, remarkable." Revar said, forcing a smile once more.

"I've seen this before. Cladius was in a state just as this." Agular mumbled.

"Ah, this Cladius is quite remarkable is he not? The woman prays for him every night behind her anger and bitter gnashing of her teeth. She weeps with sorrow, praying for this man, yet smashes the walls in anger. And now you tell me this man communes with the gods themselves. One might wonder, if such men exist." Revar replied, still forcing that plain smile.

"Don't you claim to commune with them?" Agular questioned.

"No, only that they speak to me, small glimpses, visions, usually not more than once a year, perhaps two. More often now that this Volohs begins to bring about the Empire. Even then, it is left mostly to guess work and interpreters. We speak of something far greater, a conversation with a god! To converse as we do, oh how I long for such an event."

"You are telling me, you saved us off guess work? These visions must take you months in the work if turned into interpreters! I'm amazed. I though all men communed as Cladius."

"No, not at all, there are no records of such communion." Revar said wide eyed.

Agular was surprised; this was perhaps the only true reaction he would receive from this man.

"Even great prophets receive it such as me, unless they are a minor god." Revar smiled forcible.

Almorah looked about her hand still stretched forward touching the white orb in the center. She had many questions, but none came to her in this mindset. She continually examined the place she stood, as if in a white round room, with no exit. She looked about. As she heard a faint voice and Claydrin turn back.

Cladius ran forward, sweat drenched and blade forged. He slammed the sword into the ground as he ran towards Almorah. She stood in the middle of the field surrounded by the gods. Cladius examined the situation, smiling as Valia did. Before Halvier married Valie, he was married to his one true love, Mecilion, Goddess of Mercy, and Oxross, killed her, while with child. Havier, than took the neckless he had forged her, and casted it down to Lumesc in his rage. Upon viewing Almorah, he had told Cladius that he had chosen her as his adoptive daughter, giving her the blessing of the warrior. In a sense, Almorah was Valia's child. Almorah was a sickly child, as she had described, if Havlier did not intervene, she would have probably died. The blue hair was a gift from Valia, to remind her of the blue sky.

Claydrin had placed his hand on Cladius, shaking his head, as Cladius tried to move forward. He was as if on auto pilot. Seeing Almorah was like a dream. Almorah could only see Claydrin shaking his head, with his hand placed out from his body.

"What is wrong?" Almorah said.

Cladius closed his eyes, trying to cling to her sweet, soft, honeyed voice. She had the most beautiful voice. Cladius opened his eyes to find Claydrin looking back towards Almorah, removing his hand from his shoulder.

"Nothing, my dear, it is about time, you join the world of the living. This is no place for a mortal."

Valia's eyes teared as Almorah let her hand fall from the flame. Almorah blinked, recalling the strange voice she had heard. She hadn't paid it much heed, but now she knew. The voice she heard undoubtedly was Cladius. He was calling to her that is why the sound caught her attention, because he was calling her name. The woman fell to her knees as she began to weep. She missed Cladius; she had grown attached to him. She wished she had said it that night at the ball, had told him she loved him.

Agular slowly approached his weeping sister. Revar shook his head, with a forced grin. Agular looked back disgusted as he looked into his sister's golden eyes.

"Almorah," He questioned.

"Leave me." Almorah replied.

Revar whispered to himself, "Foolish man, he gave up a real prize."