Skye's POV

No matter what type of demon you kill, their blood is always black and ashy. This creature I had just wounded bled a fiery red gold. Pushing me back, he grabbed my sword out of his chest. It glowed with an unearthly power. "You are strong." He relaxed and smiled at me. With a snap of his fingers, the ruins became as they were before. No volcanic holes, no random moving trees, no fireballs or large boulders. No demon could put back together what they destroyed. What is he?

"Had I been anything other than immortal, you would have killed me just then. With relative ease too." I watched as his wound closed up on its own. "Of course, had I been really trying to kill you, you would have been incinerated in three seconds." He laughed as he brought my sword to me and held his hand out. Unsure of this now friendly being, I thought it wise to not upset him. I took his hand and instantly felt light. As if I hadn't just been fighting for my life. I felt the burns on my skin cool and disappear as fire and smoke danced above our connected hands. Once the pain was entirely gone he helped me up.

"What are you?" I asked curiously. Demons definitely did not have healing powers. The man grinned.

"Eh, you wouldn't believe me if I told you!" He laughed.

"You bleed gold." I retorted. "What would I not believe after seeing that?" He raised his eyebrows in surprise.

"Oh yeah, you saw that." He laughed again while scratching the back of his head. He looked toward the still hooded woman. "If I give him my name, you must give him yours too."

The silk voice immediately replied, "Certainly. Seeing as he is worthy of it." The compliment caused a strange warmth to appear inside of me. It seemed unnatural.

"If I am worthy of your name, am I also worthy of your face?" I asked, bowing my head for some reason.

"Oh ho ho!" The man laughed beside the woman and took a peek inside her hood of which he roared with laughter. The hooded figure turned away from us and the man jumped beside me, pulling me into a one armed hug. "You, my friend, are a miracle worker!"

"Jasper!" The woman scolded.

"Oh yeah, I haven't introduced myself, have I?" He asked. I shook my head in response. He pushed me to the side and emitting a ring of fire behind his head and two boulders on his right and left he dramatically announced, "I am Jasper. God of Earth and Flame."

"God?" I questioned. Gods don't exist. Do they? This man had the power to create and destroy and he bled gold. Who bleeds gold but gods? And no one; not demon, nor mage, nor druid, nor elf folk had the power to create something out of nothing. His introduction I had to accept. "I thought gods only showed themselves to the faithful? And only to a select few at that."

"Yes, well faith's a little short these days." Jasper responded. "But even then we showed ourselves to whomever we wished. And, yes, it was a select few."

My mind burned with questions. Why would a deity show itself to me? Why would he fight me? If they are really here, then why aren't they stopping the destruction of the world they created? Unless they are the ones destroying it. My mood soured. But if they are destroying the world, why are they doing it so slowly?

"Why are you dragging it on?" I glared angrily at Jasper. Surprised, he opened his mouth to speak but was cut off by his female companion.

"We aren't responsible for this Timeless War, Skye Firebird."

I focused on her, "You aren't doing anything to help though."

She brought her hands up and slowly flipped her hood off allowing me to gaze upon her. I would say she was about average height with short legs and short arms that were perfect for her. I couldn't see much of her person as she was still wearing the cloak, but I could guess that she was quite curvy with the way the cloak flowed about her. Upon her head she wore a diadem of silver with a small amethyst hung above her nose. Wavy dark chocolate hair flowed to her chest accentuating her pale skin. Underneath a cute button nose, small dainty lips were formed in a serious line. But her eyes held my attention.

Different shades of lilac occupied the wide space beside her black pupil. Within them, I seemed to see all of the souls I had lost in my life. A deep sadness began to creep inside of me. I beat it down. Those are the reasons you fight. That is why you live. Don't disturb yourself with their souls. You've grieved and mourned as much as you need to. Stop focusing on them. It took all of my mental strength to bring my focus back to the beautiful flower before me. She staggered back and stared at me, breathing heavily. Jasper rushed to her side.

"Jacqui!"

"I'm fine." She gently pushed him away and stood up straight. She addressed me. "No living being has looked into my eyes and been able to find the way back on their own." She stepped toward me. "You have done so." She took another step forward. "You have battled Jasper, a God, and wounded him." She strode forward, "You have said there are men stronger than you." She stopped before me. "You lied."

I blinked at her, "what?"

"You have been tried and judged by two gods of Comwen. You are strong. Possibly the strongest man to ever be born."

"You are a Goddess?" I inquired. I had figured as much but it still surprised me.

"I am Jacqueline——"

"Goddess of Life and Death." I breathed in wonder. She nodded an affirmation. My knees buckled and I fell.