Gods & Monsters, #2
The Throne of Broken Gods
by Amber V. Nicole
Contents
Chapter 88
Overview
Samkiel awakens in excruciating agony as the Equinox rupture spreads, hearing celestials screaming across the city. The Order flees through the gate with crates; Camilla secretly signals hope. Roccurem reveals the fates serve the One True King. Wielding Samkiel’s blood-forged spear, Kaden rips the realm open, unleashing creatures as Nismera emerges.
Summary
Samkiel regains consciousness wracked by unbearable pain, his body scorched from power forced through him. Through the din of distant celestial screams, he realizes the rupture has spread beyond the chamber. Vision blurred and tinged red, he struggles to rise, intent on helping the celestials, but his strength fails.
Silhouettes move behind Kaden as an exodus unfolds. Samkiel believes The Order—his family, the Hand—depart through the open gates with crates. Cameron seems to glance back toward Samkiel and then to Xavier before leaving. Amid the retreat, Camilla tosses a small green orb that rolls to Samkiel and whispers, “Hold on. She’s coming,” before Vincent drags her through the gate.
Roccurem approaches Samkiel and, when asked why, explains that the fates serve the One True King, a binding law set by Samkiel’s father and forefathers. Samkiel names Kaden, but Roccurem denies it, deepening the uncertainty over who truly commands destiny.
Kaden then drags the spear coated in Samkiel’s blood across the floor, splitting the realm. A rift yawns open as creatures of varying sizes pour out, filling the air with roars and wings. From the fracture, armored figures emerge, followed by a silver-haired warlord whose wrathful gaze fixes on Samkiel. She greets him as “World Ender.” Samkiel recognizes her instantly: Nismera has returned.
Who Appears
- SamkielNarrator, debilitated by torture and power burn; witnesses the realm’s rupture and Nismera’s emergence.
- KadenAntagonist; uses a spear forged with Samkiel’s blood to split the realm, unleashing creatures.
- RoccuremReveals the fates are bound to the One True King, denying Kaden is that figure.
- NismeraWarlike entity emerging from the rift; greets Samkiel as “World Ender,” signaling a greater threat.
- CamillaWhile being forced through the gate, secretly throws Samkiel a green orb and message of hope.
- CameronMember of The Order; pauses to look back at Samkiel before departing through the gate.
- XavierWith The Order during the retreat; receives Cameron’s last look before they leave.
- VincentForces Camilla through the gate as The Order evacuates with crates.