Ascendants of Ancients Sovereign - By Phillip Jones Page 0,101

take back this ultimate level of glory—or was this level of glory truly ultimate?

Sensing Bassorine’s hesitation, Lasidious took a few more calculated shots at the God of War’s ego. “See what I mean? You’re an overgrown corgan. Only you would attack me and risk punishment by the Book. You’re not as almighty as you would have us believe. Accept the fact that I’ve taken the Crystal Moon. Bury your head in the sand, and taste defeat. Know that I’ve won this battle.” Lasidious laughed at Bassorine’s expense while the others were no longer smiling. They were now on edge.

The God of War’s pride swelled. His hatred for Lasidious was growing with every breath he took. His desire to destroy the Book and take vengeance was cosmic. In his existence, he could not think of a series of moments when he wanted to embrace his title amongst the gods more than he did now.

Bassorine glared across the table at Lasidious who was daring him, taunting him, and trying to lure him to attack. But he would not do it Lasidious’ way. After a long, deep breath, the God of War quieted his mind. He walked toward the table and put his blade back in its sheath. “You’re right, Lasidious. I should not tempt fate by challenging the Book’s wrath.”

Reaching the table, the God of War leaned down to pick up his chair off the floor. He smiled. “All is well. Please take your seats.”

The Mischievous One was the only one who did not comply. But the others began to reclaim their seats. As soon as the Book lowered its binding to the table and redirected its attention to speak with Lasidious, Bassorine unsheathed his sword and began a deadly descent toward the Book’s heavy cover.

Except for Lasidious, none of the others expected Bassorine’s deception, but the Mischievous One had hoped this Peak would come. This moment had been a part of his plotting all along. He knew every law on the Book’s pages, and one of them stated that the gods could protect the Book’s existence with any use of power necessary without recourse. He did not have the power to defeat Bassorine, but he did not need it. All he had to do was buy the Book a single moment to defend itself, and he was ready for that.

As Bassorine’s blade cut through the air, Lasidious reached forward with both hands and sent a wave of force barreling across the room. It was strong enough to push the Book out from under the thunderous slam Bassorine’s blade made as it collided with the table. The weapon sliced through the stone and stopped only after it hit the floor and cracked it.

Unharmed, the Book flew across the room and slid to a stop. Meanwhile, Lasidious sent another wave of force barreling into Bassorine. This wave knocked the God of War off balance and bought the Book yet another moment to respond.

Quicker than lightning, Bassorine regained his balance and leapt across the room toward the Book to make up for the lost moments. Once again, his blade was arching through the air, but on this occasion, it met its target with a cataclysmic collision—but it was too late. A powerful field of protection was surrounding the Book’s binding.

The repercussion of the two opposing forces sent everything in the room flying. The shock wave was so great, the gods’ bodies blasted through the hall, some of them breaking through more than one wall before they landed in the countryside, scattered beyond what remained of the structure. Except for Bassorine and the Book of Immortality, the others were now lying dazed in the grass with pieces of debris surrounding them within a billowing cloud of dust. The rest of the structure had fallen on the two in battle.

The sound of the event had been heard as thunder throughout the worlds, and it took a while for the rumbling to stop. Eventually, the gods picked themselves up off the grass. When the dust settled, all that was left was an enormous pile of marble, gold, and shredded tapestries that had been hung throughout.

The gods were about to declare the Book and Bassorine destroyed when they heard a noise from under the center of the pile.

Lasidious swallowed hard at the possibility that it could be Bassorine. If it was, he knew he would be dead in a matter of moments. Bassorine would not find forgiveness. The God of War’s blade would end him as it split