Ascendants of Ancients Sovereign - By Phillip Jones Page 0,44

reprimanded, her face stern and her voice forceful. “How dare you talk to your goddess that way? I should throw you to the dragons on Dragonia!” Her voice echoed off the walls of Skeleton Pass. “You will show me respect, demon!”

Realizing whom he had insulted, Kepler stepped forward and lowered his head in reverence. “My apologies, Goddess. If I had known it was you, I would not have spoken so harshly.” The giant cat pushed a half-eaten barbarian torso behind him with his back paw as if he was embarrassed about the untidiness of his lair.

“Never mind your insolence, Kepler,” Celestria replied as she watched him squirm. “I’m here to inform you of great things that are about to happen. The moments have come for those who want power to rise up and seize it. This uprising will forever change the hierarchy of Grayham’s kingdoms.”

“Sounds intriguing,” Kepler responded. “But why tell me? I have all I need. I’ve ruled my pass for hundreds of seasons.” He extended the nails on his right, front paw one by one. “All men fear these claws.”

The goddess brushed her hand along his fur as she passed and took a seat where he had been lying. “My dearest Kepler, you have been bored for many seasons. I know the secret of how you rule your pass. I watch you from the heavens and see how you lie about and wish for a challenge. I only tell you because I know of a man who is strong and possesses the wit to rule. I have foreseen this man to be the master of Grayham. He will send this world into darkness, and his companionship would make you a happy, little demon, my pet.”

Kepler hated how the goddess had called him a “little demon,” and her “pet,” yet he dared not say anything to correct her. “Interesting,” he parried with a hint of disdain. “I’ll have my own private den of misery. I can’t complain about something so grand. These eyes function best when I prey upon the weak in the darkness.”

The goddess knew Kepler was intrigued, despite the fact that he had shown no interest in the human. “This man will be at the Pool of Sorrow 3 Peaks from now. He will be camped near the outlet where the pool releases into the Cripple River.” Celestria knew her next statement would irritate the demon. “For all I know, this human may not find you worthy of his company. He may find you unnecessary.”

“Unnecessary?” the demon snarled and then let out a ferocious roar. “I’m more than worthy to be in his presence! If he is to rule kingdoms, who better to have at his side than one who already rules territories on Grayham? I, alone, am capable of handling the burden of this authority. I am The Master of the Hunt for a reason.”

Celestria was pleased with his response, but she did not show it. She knew of Kepler’s immense pride and had hoped it was large enough to take the bait. She moved to stand beside the demon and stroked his shoulders.

“A beast with your abilities would be quite useful, my pet,” she said as she reached up to touch the point of one of his teeth. Again, she leaned in and felt Kepler cringe. She smiled inside. “Perhaps you should meet with this human to see if he accepts your companionship. I warn you, Kepler, this is a strong-willed, hot-tempered being. I would not make him angry if I were you. I would hate to see you end up on a skewer, cooked for supper.”

The beast let out another angry roar. “I’m no one’s supper! I shall stare into his eyes, and he’ll beg for my services. I’ll only allow him to rule if I’m at his side. If the fool refuses to accept my offer, I shall pick his bones from my teeth before I return to my pass.”

“Careful, Kepler,” the goddess cautioned, moving to stand in front of his massive mouth. She tugged each of his whiskers while she continued to speak in a soft tone. “I know you’re confident, but I must warn you ... I would not toy with this human. He’s powerful. I would hate to witness your end only to watch one of your brothers rise to rule your pass.”

The goddess scratched the underside of Kepler’s jaw. “If you choose to accept this challenge, you’ll need to make your way to the Pool of Sorrow. The human