Ascendants of Ancients Sovereign - By Phillip Jones Page 0,63

worlds, and the power to keep them from migrating is more than the Collective can manage on a continual basis. This is why we created the Crystal Moon. Each of us poured part of our power into this masterpiece, and because of this, the pieces of the crystal cannot be drained of their power.”

The God of War frowned. “I would like to tell you the gods are almighty, but this isn’t the case. We have weaknesses and limitations, just as you do.”

Bassorine removed a new long sword that hung from his hip and placed the tip of the blade on the floor and spun it like a top. “If I were to convince the gods to use our power to keep the worlds from drifting, it would not take long before we would use what’s left of our power. The worlds would eventually be destroyed anyway.”

“Okay, okay. So create another Crystal Moon to replace the one Lasidious took,” Sam reasoned.

Bassorine shook his head. “As I have said, it took 14 beings to create the Crystal Moon. Why would Lasidious help make another one? He clearly has a plan, and there is a method to his madness. We just need to find a way to reveal the level of his insanity.”

Sam had never thought of a god as having a weakness, but the concept made sense. It explained how Bassorine failed to know everything. It also meant the term “god” now held far less power for Sam than it did before. He grew bolder.

“Okay, okay. Then what you’ve told me confirms my ideas about how we should approach the situation. For now, I think it’s best to keep quiet. You’ll want the populaces of the worlds to continue to worship and maintain their normal lives until the Crystal Moon is retrieved. I mean, think about it. What do you think would happen if they found out you couldn’t do anything to stop Lasidious? What would happen if they found out they’re expendable? I would laugh at the god I served if he allowed his peers to destroy my life. Your Collective has taken this ‘free will’ crap to a whole new level. At least if I’m handling the situation, the politics on Grayham would be managed, and I could mitigate your loss of followers.”

Sam allowed his arms to drop to his side. “If anyone is smart enough to figure this mess out ... it’s me. So tell your godly counterparts that I’m not about to sit around like a rebel without a cause and do nothing. You tell them that, or you might as well send me back to Earth.”

Well, fellow soul ... Bassorine had hoped Sam would summon the desire to undertake the task. He just wanted Sam to fight for the right. The god knew if Sam chose to go after the crystal’s pieces, Shalee would follow in his footsteps, and Shalee was the key to accomplishing Bassorine’s own masterful plans. It wasn’t just Lasidious who had an objective.

Helping Sam retrieve the Crystal Moon would allow Shalee the moments to grow. Of all the men on the new worlds, Sam really was the best choice, and Bassorine knew this before their conversation began. It had been far too many seasons since the God of War had captured Sam’s soul and placed it inside the body it was currently residing in. He missed their old relationship, but revealing his bond with Sam would not be beneficial at this moment.

“You’ve made your point, Sam, but there’s much you don’t know.” Bassorine turned to look out the window. “I am the God of War. With all my heart, I love to battle. Nevertheless, you need to understand the magnitude of your choice.”

“Okay, okay. I’m listening,” Sam blurted.

“By volunteering, you’ll need to overcome your physical limitations, and death will always be a possibility. This journey will be the fight for the survival of everything in existence ... and I do mean everything.”

Sam interrupted. “Wait a second! There’s something you’re not telling me. I can feel it. I’ve been in this situation with you before. Don’t ask me how I know this, but I know. This isn’t the first ‘series of moments’ in which we’ve had a conversation that feels vague.”

Bassorine was about to object, but Sam held up his hand. “Look! I’m not interested in being kept in the dark. How could what’s going on affect the survival of everything? How can Lasidious’ actions cause destruction throughout an entire cosmos?”

Once again, Bassorine sighed,