“I know what this is,” Josh said. He took a step toward the Horned God. They were now separated by the six-foot-wide moat of thick black liquid. Josh was holding the sword in both hands, trying to keep it level and steady. The weapon was trembling, shivering in his grip. And then he realized that the vibration running up his arms into his shoulders was a regular pulse… like a heartbeat. As the delicious warmth flowed through his body and gathered in his chest and stomach, he felt strong and confident, afraid of nothing and no one. If Cernunnos attacked, Josh knew he’d be able to defeat him. “This is Clarent, the Sword of Fire,” he said, his voice echoing and ringing. “I saw what it did to the Nidhogg. I know what it can do to you.”

“Threatened by a humani boy,” the Horned God said in wonder.

Josh stepped right up to the edge of the moat and stared at the creature across the swirling liquid. Fragments of thoughts danced through his mind, images of the time Cernunnos had carried the sword.

“There is a battle coming,” Josh said loudly. “And I think I’m going to need this sword.”

Cernunnos smiled. “Remember, it is also called the Coward’s Blade,” it said, planting its massive club on the ground and then leaning on it, its huge horned head pushed forward, amber eyes staring hard at Josh. “It is a cursed weapon. All who carry it are cursed.”

“You carried it.”

“Exactly,” Cernunnos said. “And look at me. Once this world was mine to command; now I do another’s bidding. The blade will poison you, ultimately even destroy you.”

“You could be lying to me,” Josh said simply, but somewhere at the back of his mind he knew the Archon was not lying.

“Why would I lie to you?” Cernunnos sounded genuinely confused. “I am neither Elder nor Next Generation. I have no need to lie to humani.”

Sophie stepped forward to stand just behind her twin. Behind his back, her thumb gently rested against the tattoo burned into her wrist. All she had to do would be to touch the red spot in the gold circle and it would bring her Fire magic to blazing life. The Horned God looked at her, eyes glowing as his pupils contracted to flat black lines. “We have met before,” he said, a note of wonder in his voice, looking from face to face.

Shocked, the twins shook their heads.

“We have,” the Horned God insisted.

“I think we’d remember,” Sophie said.

“You’re not exactly forgettable,” Josh added.