Chapter 59: Emory

Sidraeus recounts the origin of the gods and their realms: the Deep (godsworld) ruled by four elemental gods and a fifth god of balance who governs the sleepscape. Atheia, first messenger of the living realms, shaped magic; Sidraeus, second messenger, ferried souls and was barred from creation.

Atheia and Sidraeus fell in love and, during eclipses, brought a shadow-form of Sidraeus into the living world. Their combined influence birthed Tidecallers—eclipse-born who could cross realms. Aspiring to share this freedom with all, they gathered followers and defied divine limits.

Fearing discovery, Atheia urged retreat, but Sidraeus pressed on to challenge the gods. Atheia betrayed him to the god of balance; Sidraeus was imprisoned and stripped of form, and the gods slaughtered the Tidecallers, sealing doors between worlds with their blood. Atheia evaded punishment by splintering herself across realms.

Sidraeus explains the current rot: sealing the doors dammed the ley lines, starving worlds of the fountain’s magic. Emory’s healing of umbrae broke his stasis, restoring his movement within the sleepscape. As a Tidecaller, Emory can tap ley lines and even the fountain.

Sidraeus proposes that Emory break the dams to heal the worlds and siphon the fountain’s power to him. He admits his vengeful aim and his impulse to destroy Atheia’s pieces, though they are needed to reach the godsworld. Emory, seeing both danger and opportunity, agrees to a cautious alliance, intending to use Sidraeus as he uses her.