Chapter 81: Mother of Truths

Vladimars leaned forward, his fingers intertwining as if to anchor himself from being adrift in his memories. His voice was quiet at first, steady yet heavy with the gravity of what he was about to reveal.

"The tome isn't just a record of the forbidden magic — it is a chronicle of betrayal and deceit," he began, his amber eyes glowing in the firelight. "It spoke of Teiwaz's origins, of how he was not one of the original gods nor their child as the Church preaches. He stole a fragment of their power. Stolen in a time before memory, when gods still walked among mortals. Teiwaz himself, was once a mortal man... and a thief. His godhood was a lie, his worship built on sacrilege."

He paused, watching the flickering firelight reflect in his companions' widening eyes. Iliana shifted uncomfortably, the hem of her cloak clutched tightly in her hands as she leaned against Caelyn. Markos remained motionless, though his jaw tightened, the only indication of his brewing thoughts.