The Labyrinth of Destiny Read Online Free

concerned with what Toraun had just said.
    “Are you saying that some of our
brothers and sisters will be left behind?” rasped the rock-like creature.
    Toraun spread all four of his hands
in a beseeching gesture. “All Immortals have been extended the invitation to
join us on this day—even our Shimat brethren. The division that shall take
place at the dawn of the New World will not be our doing, but that of those who
choose to abandon their purpose.”
    Adesina frowned thoughtfully. How
many will be left behind?
    Ravi’s mind answered hers. There
are thirty-seven races represented here, and legends tell of one hundred
Immortal races being born. There are some races that are no more, such as the
Gaiana. Others, such as the Shimat, have given themselves completely to
Darkness.
    Adesina’s frown deepened. And
others will simply be left in this realm, abandoned?
    Ravi didn’t appear to have an
answer for her.
    Adesina’s attention was caught once
more by the lively discussion of the Council.
    “We cannot force anyone to
join us, Brother Syss. Individual choice is a gift of the Light, and to take it
away is an act of Darkness.”
    Syss, the Qetza representative,
twitched his feathered wings in agitation. “That issss not what I wasssss
sssaying, Ssssissster Chaholand.”
    Toraun raised his arms high above
his head and called for silence.
    “Please, my brethren and sisters,
let us not quarrel. Our efforts to convince those who are absent from this
gathering shalt double during the time we have left. For now, there is
something of greater import.”
    An expectant hush fell over the
Council, and Adesina looked around in confusion. All eyes were once again on
her, riveted on her young face.
    Toraun approached her, his willowy
form swaying with a slow grace. Sunlight reflected off of his golden hair and
beard, and a breeze stirred the robe he wore. Adesina was surprised as he drew
closer. She expected him to be taller, but his head was even with hers. Perhaps
it was simply magnitude of his presence that made him seem larger.
    “All Immortals wert created on the
same day,” said Toraun in a soft voice that was meant only for Adesina’s ears.
“The Blessed Ancients lent their powers to the Creator, and there was a great
celebration of Life when all was completed. On that day, the Creator told of one
final child of the Ancients that wouldst be born—one last Immortal created. The
Creator decreed that this last born Immortal wouldst be our leader in our time
of greatest need.”
    Toraun’s piercing gaze bore down
heavily on Adesina.
    “Thou art that child, Sister
Adesina. Thou shalt be our leader.”
    He placed two of his hands on her
head and the other two on her shoulders. He raised his voice as he continued,
so all could hear his words.
    “I pledge to thee my life and my
loyalty, so that my strength shall be thine. Thy fate shalt be mine own—thy
triumphs my triumphs, and thy failures my failures.”
    Adesina felt a rush of warmth surge
from Toraun’s hands and through her body. She felt strangely lighter, as if a
burden had been lifted from her shoulders.
    One by one, each of the other
Immortals came forward and recited the same oath while either touching her head
or her shoulders, or both. Each time, Adesina felt the flash of warmth and
lightening of her entire being.
    The early ones to follow Toraun
were eager to pledge themselves to Adesina. However, as the faces passed before
the young L’avan woman, they seemed less and less certain in what they were
doing.
    When Ruon stood before her, his
small eyes were narrowed with skepticism and he waited long moments before placing
his cold hands on her shoulders.
    “I pledge to you my life and my
loyalty, so that my strength will be yours. Your fate will be mine own—your
triumphs my triumphs, and your failures my failures.” He removed his hands and
added, “I suppose there are worse things than failing on the side of Light. I
just pray you show more promise in