Gods & Monsters, #2
The Throne of Broken Gods
by Amber V. Nicole
Contents
Chapter 77
Overview
While analyzing rune photos, the group debates Kaden’s origins until Samkiel reveals Porphyrion told him Kaden served Samkiel’s father and created Yejedin’s kings. Neverra admits taking Dianna to Onuna, where Kaden’s beasts pursued her, implying Dianna is key to his plans.
Samkiel plans a morale-boosting dinner before returning to Onuna, but Vincent explodes over Dianna, provoking Samkiel into a violent clash and then storming off. Imogen follows and discovers Vincent’s buried fear and resentment.
Summary
Imogen and the others sift through taped photos of runes and a codex, struggling to decode Elianna’s journal. Banter over Kaden’s origins turns serious when Samkiel arrives and shares Porphyrion’s revelation: Kaden served Samkiel’s father before the Gods War and created the Kings of Yejedin. The rune scrawls, Samkiel suggests, are likely spells or enchantments.
Neverra then admits she secretly returned to Onuna with Dianna, where Kaden’s beasts immediately hunted them. The group infers Kaden is watching Onuna and may need Dianna for a ritual, making her central to his plan. Although Vincent urges an immediate hunt, Samkiel refuses to leave Dianna and proposes they depart after a restorative dinner.
The pause triggers a fracture: Vincent condemns Dianna as a murderous Queen and accuses Samkiel of jeopardizing them. Samkiel’s temper snaps; lightning flashes, and he slams Vincent into a table before regaining control. Vincent, bleeding but defiant, calls everyone blind and storms out.
Imogen follows. Vincent unloads years of resentment over their fractured “family” and deflects her empathy-driven probing, masking a deeper fear he won’t name. He refuses reconciliation, urges focus on stopping Kaden, and departs, leaving the group divided on the eve of their return to Onuna.
Who Appears
- ImogenNarrator; helps decode runes, senses emotional currents, confronts Vincent and detects his hidden fear.
- SamkielReveals Kaden was his father’s general who made Yejedin’s kings; identifies runes as spells; defends Dianna; clashes with Vincent.
- VincentSkeptical and hostile toward Dianna; argues against a dinner; fights with Samkiel; admits resentment and concealed fear before leaving.
- NeverraAdmits taking Dianna to Onuna; reports Kaden’s beasts pursued them; posits Dianna is key to Kaden’s plan.
- CameronJokes and theorizes wildly; tensions with Xavier linger; observes power implications of Kaden creating kings.
- LoganSupports Neverra yet seethes over her risk; prepares for immediate action; tries to check Samkiel’s temper.
- XavierMaps rune photos with the team; surprised by revelations; helps restore order after the confrontation.
- DiannaAbsent but central; her presence on Onuna draws Kaden’s beasts, suggesting she’s essential to his ritual.
- KadenOff-page antagonist; revealed as former general to Samkiel’s father and creator of Yejedin’s kings; likely needs Dianna.