Leoy’Shaah starved for nearly a decade before a villager mustered the courage to sneak into the dungeons and free her. Leoy’Shaah was suprised to find that this villager was none other than Nisha.
All the guards had been mobilized to defend the rest of the town, and the prisoners were left for dead, all except her.
Her time in prison had forged her mind with the mistake of man.
The rooms grew quieter every day since her imprisonment. With her only social interaction being that of the wailing pleads and cries of the imprisoned, all out of view. They had been talkative with Leoy’Shaah initially, but the knife of death had slowly pried their soul from their bodies. Slowly, these voices died out, and in their place came the smell of rotting meat.
Needless to say, the first words to come from Nisha’s mouth were ‘I’m’ and ‘sorry.’
“I haven''t seen you in quite a while,” Leoy’Shaah said, as she slipped on a garment.
“The ax shattered…” Nisha muttered.
“What was that?” Nisha looked away.
“Oh.”
“I am surprised you still remember that day,” Leoy’Shaah replied. I hear whispers of war through the roots of the dying trees. What has happened here?”
“The Unbon attacked us, just like you said…”
“Just like any person would be able to predict!” Leoy’Shaah snarled.
“Haah… I don’t know what to tell you… I had no idea where you could be! But things have changed greatly since your imprisonment.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“The Unbon have brought their god to bless this town… but in return we must give sacrifices,” They first demanded my husband. He was a brave man–”
She stopped.
“I want you to bless him, Leoy’Shaah… Please.”
“Get out of my way,” Leoy’Shaah hissed. She no doubt wore a snake’s shedded skin in her voice. Her voice rattled like the venomous reptiles of the harsh plains.
“I know you have your next steps in mind… If God has really bestowed you with these… abilities, perhaps we can combat their mad god as well!”
Leoy’Shaah looked out into the bitter cold, “And who is their mad god?”
“The same name as the tribe bears, Unbon. He is strong and fast, they say.”
She stopped, as did Nisha. Before them laid a sight of destruction. Many of the houses burnt and destroyed.
“Unbon is rumored to be the god of Brash… And… Well, they call him that. But we call him the menace.
Leoy’Shaah frowned. “Are those banners?”
Nisha sighed. “A lot has changed while you were gone, I am sorry.”
Leoy’Shaah stared at the banners. “Who put those here?”
“People from a kingdom in the north came and put these here. They said that this village was part of their territory. They are the Kwnuollans.”
“Ah.” Leoy’Shaah had heard of these people before, but only in brief eavesdropping of nobles.
“I find that quite preposterous!” Nisha added, “The Unbon have been relentless.”
“So, who is the new chief?” Leoy’Shaah said.
“There is none.” Nisha said.
Leoy’Shaah stopped again. “Then who is in charge?”
Nisha looked sheepish now. “That would be governor Kazezne.”
Leoy’Shaah pondered for a moment. Nearly a decade ago, she had been told the turh about everything by this prisoner. He had passed away not long after she had arrived. What if she had been jailed later? She couldn’t help but wonder if it had been luck, or if there was a higher power at play.
She hoped for the latter.
As one could imagine, telling someone such a monstrous, life-shattering truth would be met with denial, madness, and utter shock, along with a plethora of other emotions. Leoy’Shaah’s calm demeanor was not to be mistaken for indifference. Shortly after her only source of social interaction disappeared, she began to go insane. But at the end, she was so drained of energy and will, that she refused to
A monstrous building laid in the center of the town square. It was not the only of its kind, as it was surrounded by similar monolithic structures, but what made the center one monstrous in particular, was its shadow. Just when you would think the roof could not reach any higher, its curved wedge of a roof split down the middle, forming a pincer-like design. Leoy’Shaah had not been sure as to what sort of thing compelled the architect of said building to create such an oppressing structure, but she knew the effect it had on the area. Plants within the shadows wilted, the suns treating it as their plaything. Leoy’Shaah could see the terror behind Nisha’s calmness. Still, the building was silently killing any will in these people.
“I don’t believe in their God,” Nisha said, “And I don’t think I’ll believe anyone anymore.”
“Good. Nisha, I have something I have to tell you–”
<b><i>“Leoy’Shaah!?”</i></b>
Leoy’Shaah froze; She had heard that voice years ago.
Before she could decide what to say, a young man ran up to her in disbelief. “She’s alive! I told you she was the messiah!” He was not the only one to come. At least three others, one of whom Leoy’Shaah recognized as Sohee and Hayden. It had been Hayden’s voice she had heard, but she was surprised by a boy nearly a head smaller than her. He jumped out excitedly, “Yes, <i>yes! </i>She looks exactly like she did when I first saw her!”
“How do you do, Miss Alexandra?” He asked chivalrously, extending a hand that was obviously shaking.
Leoy’Shaah eyed this boy with curiousity, but also concern. She eyed him for a few seconds before ultimately rejecting his offer.
<i>Wait… that smell…</i>
Leoy’Shaah was practically drooling, but she didn’t realize <i>exactly</i> how hungry she was until she saw Sohee’s basket. The rich aroma tore through her nostrils, and she could not hold herself back. She lunged at Sohee, who dropped the basket and squealed. Leoy’Shaah tore off the basket to find a vibrant assortment of food: Cheese, bread, fruits, and potatos. She ravaged it all, leaving not even the smallest of scraps behind. When she finished, she doubled over to clutch her stomach, which had an extreme reaction to the abrupt introduction of food. Mushy strawberry and potato oozed from her mouth in digestive defiance.
Hayden’s expression was unwavering, even bearing witness to one of Leoy’Shaahs lowest moments, he still plastered a smile on his face. One that, admittedly, twitched with concern.
By the time Leoy’Shaah recovered, which only took a minute or two, she rose, invigorated, and almost matched the boy’s excitement.
He was ecstatic, but Leoy’Shaah completely ignored him for the time being yet again. She greeted Hayden, having the words already preloaded under her tongue, ready to release into conversation, “Hello Sohee, <i>apologies for *ahem* taking that delicious basket, </i>and hello again, Hayden.”
In the almost ten years of her imprisonment, she had quite a bit to formulate thousands upon thousands of plans, conversations, situations, and complications. All of which she had neatly played out and resolved in her mind.
Yet she forgot much of it not long after she opened her mouth.
“Hayden… I… I don’t know what to say…”
That was the thing. She had said quite a lot of things to Hayden while biding her time away from the suns, but the voice in her head was easily satisfied by her fabricated episodes, so it did little to prepare her for his reactions and responses.
“So… I want to be blunt with you, miss… Leoy’Shaah. Where did you get your powers?”
“I got them from a god-like entity. He claimed he was the creator himself, but I am unsure of that.”
<i>“I knew it!”</i> The boy leapt up, before falling silent to await Leoy’Shaah’s response. Leoy’Shaah trembled with anticipation, unsure of where the conversation might lead. She hoped they would not return her to whence she came.
“So… Is it really you then? I don’t know what to say… But, Leoy’Shaah, we’ve spent quite some time trying to find you.” He sighed, “Listen Leoy’Shaah, I know this might sound strange, horrid things have been happening to this town. And I think you might be capable of helping us.”
“Will you join us in getting rid of the Unbon with your witch powers!”
Leoy’Shaah finally had to ask: “Who are you?”
“I am Wylent!” The boy puffed up his chest. “I am the one who reminded everyone of your powers. These two here assumed you to be merely a witch, to which I say, <i>nay.</i> You are far stronger than that! You are a god''s vessel! A soon to be leader!”The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.
“Leoy’Shaah nodded. And why would you think that?”
“Hah! I’ve dreamed of you! I never forgot that day! That day where I saw you break an axe, survive an avalanche, and walk on fire! Everyone ran that day! All ran, including my own parents, but not me. I knew you were not a witch to hurt us! You were a savior sent from the heavens! You are a vessel that will lead us to victory!”
She looked around. “You don’t seem to be all that surprised by what I said. Please tell me what has happened.”
“Invaders came from the front, back in 1026, not long after you went missing. They were the ones who allowed the Unbon to terrorize us for the past seven years.” Hayden explained.
“Hayden, you wouldn’t happen to be–”
“I am. We currently have two enemies, and Kaqu had no idea–”
<i>“Kaqu is still alive?”</i>
There was silence that followed.
“Yes. He is the captain of the guard unit, and other combatants.”
Leoy’Shaah didn’t know what to think. It had been Kaqu himself who had ordered her to be put in the dungeon in the first place.
“We no longer have a god, Leoy’Shaah. When Quon passed, it appeared that God died with him. The Kwnuollans came soon after. We tried to stop them, but we had no defense. Their god came and did as he pleased.”
“But if what you say is true… You might be our salvation.”
Leoy’Shaah didn’t know what to think. “I–”
Then Nisha spoke. “Our shamans have said that people with gods linked to them have immense power. If you have a god linked with you… Then, we might just be able to stand a chance.”
By now the boy had been trembling with excitement.
“You would abandon your faith?” Leoy’Shaah snapped, “How do you know he isn’t listening to us scheming against him?”
The question was meant to do two things: To uncover Hayden, Nisha, and Wylent’s true intentions, and the second, to explain how the village had fallen so quickly.
In the past, one walking by the village would assume it to be defenseless and unaware of its danger, but this was untrue, as any enemies would soon fall to fatigue, disorientation, and other weakness. Sure, if you incubated one of your own, you would stand a chance, but that chance would be very slim.
Now the village was actually defenseless, and Leoy’Shaah suspected she knew why.
<i>If our god exposed himself to our actions truly, he became one thing and one thing only… His name</i>
Manipu.
<b><i>“No.</i></b> It was our faith that abandoned <i>us</i>, not the other way around! You think we would still march to our deaths in the face of betrayal? Why?”
Leoy’Shaah responded with a glare.
“If you’re wondering, Kaqu doesn’t know about you yet. And if you want it to <i>stay </i>that way, you should hear us out.”
“Why should I?” Leoy’Shaah asked. “Why not leave this God-forsaken place?
“Because the head priestess was the one who sent us!” Nisha interjected.
A look of horror and anger spread across Leoy’Shaah’s face. “You mean–”
“Yes.” Hayden approached Leoy’Shaah and stood in front of her in case she were to become erratic. “Listen to me, Leoy’Shaah. The harsh woman we knew is <i>gone.</i> She is not who you remember.”
“She killed my mother. She helped that <i>monster</i> incubate a god,” She seethed, “You don’t know, do you? Quon isn’t even from here! He came from the east!” She jerked her hand to the direction she supposed was east, “He was sent here by a kingdom in the east to take this land, and control us! And that is <i>exactly </i>what he did.”
“We know,” Nisha sighed, “The governor told us everything. At first, we didn’t believe him, we insisted it was a lie, but the truth was soon unveiled. Kaqu’s father was a liar and a false prophet. We know, Leoy’Shaah, and we thought and we schemed. And now we are here. Please help us. We beg of you.”
“Agreed. We have no idea what power you might be capable of. The villagers have also spoken of rumors of a god living among’st them.” Sohee insisted, “Besides, have you ever seen your reflection? You have not aged a day since the last we saw you!”
“I must meet the priestess first.” Leoy’Shaah insisted. I must have a talk with her.”
Hayden gritted his teeth. “No. We must first take you to the shaman who helped us locate you.”
Leoy’Shaah reluctantly accepted the offer.
“I will see where this takes me.”
<figure></figure>
The guard knocked on the door twice. One to alert Kaqu, and the other to inform him that they must answer with haste. The door flew open, and Kaqu appeared in the doorframe. “What be it?” He asked in annoyance.
“They say the girl has returned!”
“You would have to be more specific!” Kaqu barked, “You wouldn’t mean that one we locked up years ago, would you? Do those people really still think she is holy? She had been merely a witch as most. But she was human nonetheless. Perhaps they found what remains of her?”
The guard now looked visibly disturbed.
“I thought I had informed Marak of this poisonous fantasy these people hold so dear. They still want to believe God is with them. I saw him leave my father to death. There is no god watching us, soldier. We are but at the mecry of other men, and whatever chaos throws at us, and whatever we may inflict upon ourselves. Remind these people of who made the choice to spare them.” Kaqu began to close the door, but the guard put his foot between it.
Kaqu glared at this man before seeing the change in his behavior. The human shimmer in his eyes was gone. Kaqu was stunned.
“That I have treated you with all but respect, as you deserve, ser. But might I remind you that I dine from the larger plate and not the smaller one? Marak sees this as only trouble for the future. And might I add that it was only when we had been brutally crushed ‘neath the boot of our adversaries, and relentlessly ambushed and pillaged by those barbaric Unbon, did you finally surrender us to their clutches?” The soldier’s strange tone held both despair and pride, as if two men were molded into one form, one that both reveled and suffered in a single breath.
“I hope you understand, that if Marak sees you in your times of weakness, he shall strike, and he has a quite venomous bite.” Then the soldier left. Kaqu kept the door open in utter confusion.
Maraks mind altering techniques proved fearsome once more, and Kaqu knew this was only but the beginning. He wasted no time rushing back to change into his armor, then he headed out.
Before him, paced a crowd of people as always. The tradition of village announcements had been kept. But Kaqu knew he could not speak freely, for his keen eyes spotted several men who were undoubtedly Kwnuollan agents. Still, he spoke with vigor, and he would persuade these people with every word he spoke, that they were to ally with him, and not them.
Still, he felt his influence becoming smaller.
<i>Should a god still linger, I would have found him and used him to do my bidding, not as father had allowed it an advantage. Nay, I would have a sword to his neck. </i>
Another figure caught his eye. A young man with a dark grin on his face. He wore a cloak that brimmed with malice, from whence it came, Kaqu could not imagine. But the man’s features were frightening. A sadistic smile that seemed only to grow with Kaqus attentive gaze, fitted accordingly with yellow teeth, all perfectly aligned and straight, yet all the same hue and shade as one another. He had not one missing.
His presence almost beckoned confrontation, but Kaqu knew better. This man was defiant in his own right. He dressed the same, and held the same value of Kwnuollans, yet he stood out solely for his utter avoidance of like-minded people.
Yet Kaqu ultimately felt that he recognized this man somewhere. He was a mixture of many things, but Kaqu could sense that somewhere inside that man was a familiar individual, but he could not put his finger on it.
Kaqu ended his speech early. If things went well, perhaps the Kwnuollans would finally put an end to their horrendous alliance with the unbon.
<i>Pray their god forsake them. </i>Kaqu thought bitterly. He looked back at where the mysterious individual used to be. To no surprise, he was not there when Kaqu returned his gaze.
After he ended his speech early, as there was no news other than what he spoke, he returned to his home. It was grand and overlooked much of the village, having been built into the mountain that loomed over all.
He sighed deeply. He was the last one. The very last. The horrors he discovered nearly a decade ago had not escaped him, as a matter of fact, he remembered the day as clearly as day. He had come home to find a bloody masscere. All had been slaughtered, Quon’s wives, and all of his children had been brutally killed.
The only body he did not find in the house was that of Abeer, the youngest wife. Kaqu suspected initially that she had gotten lucky, and fled, as Kaqu hadn''t found her anywhere in the village. Or maybe she had been killed, and was simply lying somewhere in the village.
But as time passed, a horrid possibility crept upon Kaqu, presenting itself from the dark part of his head. Abeer had committed this atrocity herself.
It nigh made sense, she had been a bitter, indifferent, and envious woman.
Kaqu had run Quon, only to discover he had passed as well, having finally succumbed to his injuries…
<i>Injuries cuase by that wretched Leoy’Shaah.</i>
It filled him with some sort of closure to know that she had been rotting in some dungeon, the location of which, lost even to him. Yes, that sense of relief was what perhaps allowed him to resume his life rather than ending it.
<i>How can I ease my pain when these forces fight me wildly? We have lost all that has given us strength! Our god has left us to fend for ourselves, all the while the blasphemous people cry of oppression. They have all they ever wanted, yet feeble beliefs continue to actuate them against me! I have protected them all these years, and this is what they return to me?</i>
Kaqu didn’t know it – or perhaps he did, but had drowned himself in denial – that the world was changing rapidly, and were the rules as well. A time where God did not touch his subjects, and when he did, he did so tenderly, but that was long in the past. Now there was no longer one silent, watching god. No, there were two, three, four, five! And Kaqu knew that people would speak for another very soon.
Kaqu remembered something else, the time his father told him what the truth really was. Quon was a rebellious man. If you crossed him, he would no doubt cross you back, and deny you which you sought. Quon told Kaqu when he was only an adolescent, the origins of his journey.
Quon had fled from a vile, wretched god in the east, and he had been sent under the guise of a mere mission to establish the spread of this god’s power and influence, but remarkably, this was not very far from the truth. Quon had been in possession of a god of his own. One that had promised him newfound power, unlike any before him. And this power would only amplify with time.
In fact, when Kaqu had been first called to Marak, he found a strange woman in his place.
“If you god ever shall return, the woman had said, “We will feast upon him, and destroy his fibre, until there is nothing left, then we shall build a castle of his bones. Do not fear your god, he has given up his power already… Fear us.”
Kaqu had left, disturbed. He had returned the next day, however, to confront the woman with his wrath, only to find Marak instead, eviscerating his will to swing a sword with his mouth. Instead, he filed it to a blunt edge and conversed with Marak instead. Marak was a small man, but he was surrounded with a punishing aura that evoked a sort of redundancy in Kaqu. The whole meeting was fair and level, but upon leaving, the bitter reality set into Kaqu. He would be replaced swiftly and when that day came, he decided that he would not go down with a fight.
He had been mistaken, that event would not be marked by a day. It would not be abrupt, rather, it would be a slowly burning candle. That candle would indeed go out in a blink, but it would not have had anything warning of its death. It would burn with the same brightness and ferocity as it always did, until it didn’t
And even though Kaqu felt like this, he was not stupid. He knew of the undermining that was taking place beneath him, until the ground enveloped him and he would be put in a casket.
<i>I’ll burn this village to the ground before I let you take this from me!</i>
Strangely, all of this misery could be traced back to a single day: The day that Leoy’Shaah had been imprisoned many moons ago. It kept him up at night. If he had left Leoy’Shaah in the snow to her own devices, he would have perhaps returned in time to save his family from their fate.
<i>I blame you for this, Leoy’Shaah. I hope you are burning in the deepest pits of hell. </i>
<figure></figure>
Leoy’Shaah did not expect to be popular, especially not in a positive manner. As she entered the town, people began to recognize her. But a few guards came by to protect her from the attention. “Leoy’Shaah! Is it true? Is it ture you survived all the death that you were condemned to?” A man shouted. “My parents told me of your power!” A girl screamed. “God has returned! And he has brought forth a new vessel!”
One person reached out to touch Leoy’Shaah, their hand was slapped away by Wylent. “You are not to touch her! Only look!"
“Her hair is still singed, I can smell it! Her body stronger than rock, flame and blade all the same!”
Leoy’Shaah felt the attention grace her body like warm water poured down her neck. She found it hard to imagine how men could not go mad over this immense pleasure.
A few agents walked by, shaking their heads in confusion.
Eventually, They arrived at a gate which led to a house with rocks surrounding it. The guards pushed back the people and closed the gate behind them, proceeding to accompany the group into the building.