"The humans of Aduria who swore no allegiance to Azrai, the Shadow, fled to Cerilia, my homeland. There were others who remained, and when the Shadow found where those who decried him fled, he was wont to chase and destroy them. The humans were warned somehow--I am no great student of history, but they chose to make their stand at Mount Deismaar. There once was a land bridge between the continents of Aduria and Cerilia. There is one no longer."

Maebhrin shook her head. "The gods fought on the mountain that day, even as their people fought as well. The deaths of the gods ended the battle--the mountain exploded as Anduiras and Azrai throttled each other. Other than Azrai, the gods wished to see their people free--and the Shadow? He would see those who defied him under his power, or worse."

She heaved a sigh. "A third of the mortals who fought there fell; but when the old gods died, their most devoted followers were raised up as the new gods, the ones who the mortals of my world now worship. Haelyn, Erik, Ruornil, there are others. Even they could not hold all the power of the fallen gods, and it was showered upon the others there. One of my ancestors, long ago, absorbed some small portion of Anduiras' power, and that is why I have it; that was the strongest bloodline I inherited from my parents--my mother was also known for having the power of Reynir and Azrai in her veins--Anduiras came from my father's line."