Impure: Godslayers

“Yes I was meant to find your weaknesses and lure you into a trap. I told you this when we were formulating our plan and you all agreed to it,” Hydro said.

She stood in Ellenian palace hall. The throne was empty and only Lee, Osy, George and Saturn were in the room.

Osy was stood in front of Hydro. Lee was sat on a dining table beside Hydro, whilst on her other side George and Saturn were sat together. George was sat on a stool with his head rested on Saturn’s lap, who was sat on a table.

“And what part of our plan involved me being impaled or Lee’s broken arm,” Osy asked viciously.

“And I nearly drowned,” George chimed in furiously.

“Not now George-”

“Do you not get it? We had a plan and she double crossed us… but when it was clear that her father would continue making a meal out of her, she decided to switch sides yet again. Let us slay her now,” Lee growled stubbornly.

“I would like to see you try blood bag,” Hydro snapped.

“Are you threatening me? Avida… what now because you are calling yourself Hydro, this somehow makes you more than the entitled wench that-”Lee snarled as both his hands were engulfed in flames.

“Please, you will not be able to burn a strand of hair on my head before I make you burst like a bloody bubble,” Hydro replied nonchalantly.

“And where will you get the energy to face the rest of us?” Saturn retorted.

Hydro raised a brow in ridicule as she turned to Saturn.

“Careful mortal, I do not answer to you. Do not let your little romance fill you with a false sense of power,” Hydro said with a smirk.

George scowled and the ground itself began to tremble.

“George ….calm down,” Osy said cautiously.

The minor quake instantly subsided as George winced and massaged the side of his head in pain.

“Besides Hydro, I know your weakness,” Saturn said as he stroked George’s hair affectionately.

Suddenly George snapped round and snatched a handful of Saturn’s hair. He forced Saturn’s face down to his level.

“Yes, and what of my weakness?” George asked with a husky tone.

“I can show you if you would only let me,” Saturn said hoarsely.

Although he was clearly in pain, Saturn had a satiated smile on his face. He forced his head forward and pressed his lips firmly against George’s. Osy averted his gaze from their passionate kiss as he spoke.

“There is no need to fight as long as Hydro is now… our ally,”

Hydro glared in revulsion at the couple momentarily, who were still entangled in a kiss, before turning to Osy.

“I have slain the one who I thought was my father, for the sake of some strangers I have barely known for a year, yet claim to be my siblings. I think it is clear where my allegiance lies,” Hydro said.

The flames on Lee’s hands extinguished as he exhaled heavily.

“You know what? You are right. Perhaps your allegiance did not lie with Drazo, perhaps it lies with someone else? Perhaps you and Shadro know something that we do not?” Lee asked reproachfully.

“What?” Osy asked sceptically.

“I am not even going to dignify that accusation with a response,” Hydro said dismissively.

“Shut up Lee. Idiot. I have no qualms with you deviating from the plan Hydro, in the end you proved that you were our sister and that is all that matters,” George said.

“It has been three months since Drazo fell, we are a step closer to freeing Norton,” Osy said as he looked around contemplatively.

“Wait, we are doing this to free who? We are demi-gods; I thought we were doing this to take the place of Shadro and his siblings as the new gods,” Hydro said impatiently.

Lee snorted scornfully at Hydro’s expectations.

“Shadro is the last and according to Norton, the most powerful. He will want vengeance for his siblings. We must take the fight to him,” Osy declared provocatively.

“Why risk our lives to slay them if we do not claim our reward, our rightful place as new gods,” Avida groaned insistently.

“Is this another one of your master plans? Can you guarantee we will not be harmed this time?” Lee asked as he crossed his arms.

“I do not know how you boys lived. But I am a goddess and I intend to be treated as such,” Avida snapped.

“We do not have a choice. He will come for us. However this is not a battle that we can fight alone.”

As Osy spoke, it became apparent to Hydro that everyone was intent on keeping her out of the conversation. Their reluctance to converse on the issue that she had introduced only resulted in making Avida feel more isolated than she already did. In that moment her spirit broke and her head hung low.

“What makes him so special?” Lee asked.

“Saturn, what do your people say of the desert dwellers?” Osy asked.

Saturn stopped caressing George’s cheeks with his lips. He looked up and a replaced the smile on his face with a grimace.

“The Ellenian merchants say the three cities in the desert are most magnificent and stained with gold. Although they are full of treasures, beautiful women and other pleasures that drive men to the madness of war, they are always at peace. This is because they are not ruled by mortals but the god Shadro, the Shadow King, the omnipresent one. And for the prosperity he brings them, every father, mother and child; every mortal will die before they see their everlasting king dethroned.”

“We cannot face three cities, that is an army of least sixty thousand,” George said in a devastated tone.

“We need to concentrate on Shadro, we need help,” Osy said.

“I have an idea. You three take the mortals and I will take Shadro,” Lee stated arrogantly.

Saturn coughed mockingly at Lee pretentious attitude.

“Hydro was right. You forget your place mortal,” Lee warned.

“He but secures it. A very strong mortal my beauty is,” George growled as he rubbed his head against Saturn’s thighs affectionately

“You will all go to the mortals that we have liberated and employ their help,” Osy instructed.

“Are we going to war too?” George asked.

“Yes,” Lee said in a celebratory fashion.

“We are trying to save mortal lives not waste them,” George grumbled in confusion.

“We can do nothing more for them, they must fight for their future. Lee, you will go to the eastern mainland,” Osy ordered.

“Why because I look the most like them,” Lee complained light-heartedly.

“No, it is because you slayed Tzio….and because you look more like them.”

“Would they respond better to a demi-god in their image?” George grunted awkwardly.

“What? It is the mortals they are petty in this manner. We need them on our side,” Osy said thoughtfully.

“So I will have to go to Freydal? The island off the western mainland,” George groaned monotonously.

“Yes. Also go to the western mainland, you cannot afford to return empty-handed. Do what you must; we will meet back here in one year,” Osy instructed.

“You are going to the mortals in the south?” Lee asked.

“Yes. Saturn, what of the neighbouring states?” Osy asked.

Saturn, who had his lips plastered against George’s cheek, quickly sat up straight and narrowed his eyes thoughtfully.

“For his love of the god-slayers, my father has forgone all malice and contempt. The Nomeans are amenable as you saw by their gifts and blessings….but the Aculeans; well that is what my father is dealing with as we speak,” Saturn said breathlessly.

“Good. You must all leave tomorrow; I have something to do before I can set off,” Osy said.

“And what is that?” Lee asked haughtily.

Osy walked towards a decadent pillar at the side of throne, and leaned on it before answering.

“I think it is time Norton is freed,”

“So have you found him yet?” Osy asked.

He sat in the under-deck of the ship conversing with Lasters, whilst scratching Singe’s back. The monkey had become rather angry at being increasingly neglected. Even as Singe’s hair stood on end, stimulated by Osy’s massage, the monkey squealed resentfully and folded its arms.

“I always knew where Norton was, I just did not watch him lest Shadro senses my presence. Where are your siblings?” Lasters retorted monotonously.

“The Ellenian King gave them ships; they sailed away last month,” Osy answered.

“It had been four months since Drazo fell? Seems like it was just yesterday… fine,”

“Are you sure we should not wait for them?”

“No the plan is flawless. Shadro has a temple in each of three cities in the great desert. Tutan is the largest city with the largest temple that is where Norton is. Unfortunately, it is the most southern and furthest city. Here is a view,” Lasters said as his face disappeared.

The image of a city appeared on the mirror, rendered by a reflection from the eye of a bird, which was soaring high in the sky.

Monumental buildings, grand obelisks and a sea of miniscule people, streaming through the network of wide city streets, Osy had never seen a civilisation such as this. As quickly as the images appeared in the mirror, they disappeared and were replaced by Lasters’ gleaming face.

“Leave now. At the first light in two days I shall watch Shadro,” Lasters ordered.

Osy nodded silently as he stood up. He began towards the stairs with Singe in his arms. However the monkey leapt out of his grip and scurried towards Lasters. He climbed on the side of the wooden structure that Lasters’ mirror was installed in.

“The monkey has grown accustomed to me… and me to him. We shall both be staying,” Lasters said.

“No!” Osy derided as he walked back towards Lasters.

He put his hand out and beckoned at Singe to come down. However the monkey hissed and shook his head. Osy clapped his hand aggressively and motioned for the monkey to come to him, but it was to no avail.

“Something bad is going to happen here and if you stay…. You will not see me, or George or Lee ever again,” Osy said as his voice waivered with emotion.

Singe jumped down and ran towards Osy. Osy crouched and stroked the monkey as it embraced his leg. Yet just as quickly as it had come to him, Singe scurried back towards Lasters. Osy sighed loudly as he stood up and walked towards the stairs that led up to the deck.

“You will have to tell them that…. that we said goodbye,”

Lasters’ words caused Osy to stop for a moment as he turned round and nodded, before going up the stairs.

The chilling screams echoed through the long dark underground corridor. The screams became louder when a black hooded priest opened the thick doors at the end of the corridor. He took off his hood and wiped some sweat off his wrinkle riddled forehead, before putting it back on.

“More rocks,”

On the priest’s order, the workers at either side of the immense dungeon stood up and began to lift large rocks that had been chiselled into fine cubes. The cubes were so big that it took two strong men to hoist one off the ground. There were two flights of stairs that extended ten steps high at either side of the dungeon. These led to two metal panels that were suspended in the air by several chains. In between the sets of chains was a platform with a crude metal contraption behind it. In front of the contraption, a long haired, wild bearded filthy man was knelt on the platform. His head hung low whilst his arms were stretched apart by chains.

When the workers had made it to the top of the stairs at either side of the room, they simultaneously dropped the rocks on the panels. There were already five stone cubes on each panel. These last two forced the panels to drop lower, and there was a loud clanging sound as the contraption whirred but for a moment. Next the prisoner on the platform screamed in pain as his arms were ripped further away from his body. His shoulders were already dislocated, nevertheless there was a distinct popping sound as the ever tightening chains around his wrist, ripped his elbow joint apart.

“Where are the boys?” the priest exclaimed interrogatively as he sat in front of a table at the adjacent side of the dungeon.

He slammed a jug full of water on the table, right next to the parchment and reed quill. He wiped some water off his chin. Yet the prisoner failed to answer. He just gasped heavily and drooled in pain.

“You are a glutton for punishment….mmm? Fine…more rocks,”

The workers began to heave some more rocks up the stairs, until the sound of many voices speaking with one purpose, rang through the air.

“That will be enough,”

The priest looked at the shadow of the table on the floor of the dimly lit dungeon. It seemed to melt into pool of some sort of congealed black liquid. A shaded hand erupted out of the shadow, as though from a pool of water. A muscular body followed. As soon as they saw his dark figure, and the faint glow of his gold sclera in the shadows, everyone fell to a knee. Meanwhile the black pool, reverted back to the shadow of the table.

“Bless my god Shadro,” they all said in unison.

“Everyone leaves us,” Shadro said.

Everyone immediately scurried out of the dungeon. Meanwhile Shadro leaned over the table.

“You have said nothing? …. Impressive,” Shadro said as he looked at the blank parchment.

Shadro picked up the jug of water and he hovered up to the platform. Levitating several inches off the surface of the platform, Shadro poured some water from the jug into his cupped hand, as he crouched down. The moment Shadro’s hand was in reach, the prisoner lapped the water off his hand, crazed by thirst. He gorged down the small amount of water as it was a huge feast. He drank with such ferocious intent, it was though he was poisoned and the water was the antidote.

“Mmmmm… Norton…For over a year, you have endured all manner of torture… your threshold for pain is amazing for an immortal. You are not the weakest of your brothers after all,”

As one would imagine, the water was not enough to quench Norton’s thirst as he proceeded to lick Shadro’s wet palm. Shadro laughed callously and dropped the jug, which smashed against the platform spilling water everywhere. Subsequently Shadro yanked Norton’s hair, pulling his face up.

“Where are the children?” Shadro growled.

Yet Norton ignored him. Instead Norton’s eyes widened and he licked his swollen, parched lips voraciously. He was maddened by the sight of the spilt water on the platform.

“Why do you scorn me for the children of your grandfather’s killers?” Shadro snarled in many voices.

Norton looked up so that his brown pupils met those of his father’s.

“Scorn you, I tried to save you,” Norton said with a raspy, strained tone.

“Save me from what? I am a god,” Shadro laughed as he pushed Norton’s head down.

He stood up and began to pace in the air in front of Norton.

“After the three gods slayed my father, they spent a century on their self-serving crusade to educate the mortals. And when the mortals had learnt to form intelligible words and the use of fire, they ascended. They left behind their celestial weapons, I asked my sons to find these weapons, and instead you all betrayed me,” Shadro said.

“You claim to be good …….. Just because you slay mortals for not fitting into your perfect society………. instead of having them randomly sacrificed to stroke your ego or instil fear…that does not make you any…… better,” Norton replied breathlessly.

“And how does that have anything to do with your betrayal,”

“I and my brothers searched for weapons as you instructed. And we found them, in the possession of four pregnant women. Despite the fear that our very presence instilled in to the mortals, these women refused to relinquish the weapons even after we threatened them. Four pregnant women, the weakest mortals in their lands and yet they dared defy immortals.”

“That is why in my domain mortals stricken with the madness are put to death, to stop such foolery from damning the entire populace,” Shadro scoffed.

“This madness is not of the mind…but of the heart. You see the weapons were all that remained of their lovers. We were moved by such bravery. They were no zealots; they were sincerely in love and willing to die to keep the tokens of their lovers. We were moved. So I and my brothers made a vow to protect these women and the weapons from you and your siblings”

“Why do my sons malign me? Unlike my siblings who callously slay mortals without discretion, I have created perfect civilizations. Mortals in my domain live in societies without disease, crime or any form of chaos. I only warrant the undesirables to be sacrificed, ensuring absolute order,”

“Evil by any other name is still evil.”

Shadro growled indignantly as he hovered towards Norton. He crouched in the air and grabbed a handful of Norton’s hair.

“That is enough. Where are the children?” Shadro snapped.

“It was I who started the rumours amongst the mortals…….. that they now call a prophecy. The boys are long gone………. Well beyond your reach and when they surface in forty or ………..so years they will have matured………… I designed your destruction… father,” Norton replied gravelly.

“My sons, the ingrates,”

Shadro laughed as he stood up in the air.

“You have really out-lived your usefulness huh? I know you lied to the mortals; neither you nor any of my offspring have a feat pertaining to premonition. They are not hiding; they have slain some of my siblings,” Shadro said.

“No. Those fools, they are not ready. I told them to - What happened?” Norton yelled with a husky voice.

Shadro however did not seem to be listening as he was looking at the spilt water on the platform. His brow furrowed with concentration as he crouched lower and leaned in closer to see some plane reflective eyes staring back at him from the pool. Shadro smiled sadistically as he stood up. He hovered back into a shadowy corner of dungeon. His body merged with the shadows till only the faint gold glow of his eyes remained, but they soon faded and disappeared.

“What happened?!” Shadro exclaimed.

Norton breathed heavily as he looked around the dungeon, but he could not see anyone. He was alone. Norton allowed his head to slump down as he longed for the water, which was spilt on the platform. Subsequently a ghostly figure descended through the ceiling. As it became opaque, it landed heavily on the platform.

Norton strained to look up at the muscular boy.

“Osy is that you?” Norton asked.

“I am here for you Norton,” Osy whispered.

He crouched and held Norton’s shoulder, before turning into a wraith. The chains slid straight through Norton’s ethereal arms, sending the free counterbalance stone weights smashing to the ground. As they both became opaque, Norton and Osy coughed in a cloud of dust, created by the crashing rocks.

“When did you…..learn to do tha-Shadro,” Norton voiced hoarsely.

“What?” Osy asked as he put Norton’s arm over his neck and struggled to stand up.

“He is fast; he knows you are here,”

“He may be fast, but he can also be distracted.”