City of gods - Hellenica (32 page)

“He has a point,” said Gunnar. “What do you think, Saoirse?”

“I don’t know my own powers,” said Saoirse, “let alone our destiny.”

They all stared at Kayana. She paused for minute to gather her thoughts and then spoke.

“I don’t claim to know our destiny,” said Kayana, “but I’ve seen a glimpse of it. It’s neither good nor bad, fair nor unjust. It just
is.
We were brought here for a reason; not to end the world per se, but to guide it through a
rebirth
. The rebirth we’re destined to harbring will be painful, and will tear every god in this realm into a thousand shards.

“That’s why we’ll gain enemies in the conurbation and beyond; all gods will soon realize that our destiny doesn’t allow space for them and their petty desires.”

Kayana stretched out her body and then moved her head back and forth.

“Though it’s our destiny to bring the world’s rebirth, our immediate responsibility is to protect the world until that time comes,” said Kayana. “And we live in a corrupt time filled with gods Hell-bent on ending everything prematurely. It’s up to us to stand up to these gods and tell them the world will not end on their terms.”

Kayana paused another moment and her eyes turned white.

“Above all else we must realize that whatever shape it may take, the true future of the world is ours to protect. The Apocalypse belongs to us,” said Kayana, “
and
no one else
.”

Photo courtesy of Dustin Hamano

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jon Maas is a writer living in Los Angeles. He writes during his bus ride to and from work, and owes much of this novel to the traffic on Laurel Canyon. He is a fan of all types of literature, with his favorite writers being John Updike, Bernard Malamud, George R.R. Martin and Larry McMurtry.

This book was edited by Patty Smith. You can find her at
www.foolproofcopyedit.com
.

The cover art is by LNC Art Studios.