TRA: A God's Sorrow

Chapter 2: Hell's Gates

"I am telling you," Grall shouted in anger, "that I do not care about your God damn opinions."

Grall stood at the head of the council, he had gone in front of these cowards to declare that while Grodak was out of commission, and if he didn't make it, Xierma was to take over. Grall had initially expected resistance from the group but, to Grall surprise and disgust, they had decided to elect him as the leader until Grodak was able to return.

"With all due respect," one of the council members said, Grall had forgotten his name during his time in the Shadow World and no longer cared to try and remember it, "to elect an elf, a female at that, to be the one to lead us is preposterous."

The rest of the council agreed. Grall knew what they wanted, they wanted someone they could use as a shield if they were ever attacked. They had grown soft in the past month and now acted better than their fellow orcs they once cared for.

"Does she need to prove her worth to you?" Grall asked in anger, he clutched the table tightly, careful not to break it. "Is that what your useless piss ants want!"

They all nodded their heads, murmuring quietly. This had pushed Grall over the top. He had enough of this bullshit and was just about to resort to violence when Xiermas soft hand grasped his shoulder, causing Grall a momentary pause before she spoke.

"If you wish for me to prove my worth," she said as she held her head up, "then so be it. Bring forth any challenge you wish to set forth and I shall conquer it."

Grall drew in a sharp breath, he knew what challenge they would ask of her, one that not even he or Grodak would be able to fulfill.

"Bring us," one of the council members said, a sickening smile on his face, "the feather of an Altean."

Xiermas face paled, she knew just as Grall did that this request was an impossible one to do.

"Fuck it." Grall said as he threw the table against the wall. "If you want proof that she is more worthy then anyone here then ask the soldiers who saw the Altean you speak of. When she left only one person still stood and that was her. If she is strong enough to stay standing in the presence of an Altean, something even Grodak couldn't do, then she is strong enough to take the feather from her."

The challenge Grall issued to the council caused an uproar in an otherwise quiet room.

"If she can get the feather then I'll give up my seat on the council." One shouted. "I'll give her all my gold. "I'll have the blacksmiths craft her the best armor. "I'll kiss her feet." All the council members chimed in at once trying to talk over each other.

Annoyed, Grall punched a wall, knocking a hole in the six-inch rock. "Shut the fuck up." Grall shouted, the council quickly hushed in fear of what Grall may do to them. "She will get the feather, and when she does, all of you better keep your word or this wall will not be the only thing that will need to be fixed."

Grall stormed out with Xierma in tow. "Grall," Xierma shouted as the door shut behind them, "how do you expect me to get a feather from Cassandra?"

"Simple," Grall replied, "you ask for it."

Grall, Tyril, Sakurako, and Xierma stood outside the city walls, far enough that when Cassandra landed the residents of Whitewater would not be overcome with fear.

"Are you sure she will be here?" Grall asked, he trusted Tyril and if anyone knew her, it would be her brother.

"She's already here." Tyril said pointing up.

Grall glanced up and what he saw chilled him to his very bone. He didn't see an Altean, he saw a war between her human side and the Altean side. The two bloods causing havoc in her body and yet she showed no signs of pain, no blood, no wounds.