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 Calypso: chapter 1 A lost child

    Those who fear the shadow of death

    Know not what cast

    The light

    <h4>Calypso</h4>

    ¡°So how much for one of the dull ones?¡± Said Zen.

    Calypso reached out attempting to grab a sword. Her tiny hands dragging her long braids along to the blade.

    ¡°Calypso, don¡¯t touch that.¡± Said Zen grabbing Calypso¡¯s tiny hand.

    Calypso grunted and continued to reach for the blade once Zen looked away.

    ¡°Well,¡± Said the woman leaning on the table ¡°How about twenty and you put a good word in for me? With the higher ups if you would be so kind.¡± Zen nodded handed the woman twenty bronze coins.

    Zen snached Calypso into her arms and walked away.

    ¡°Why did that lady think you knew rich people?¡± Asked Calypso playing with her red hair.

    ¡°Because I''m taking care of you¡± Said Zen.

    Zen kept her left hand on her new sword and her right hand held Calypso. Zen shifted her backpack and glanced at Calypso.

    ¡°Mind getting the map for me?¡± Calypso nodded and reached into the massive clump of stuff.

    Calypso''s tiny hands pushed aside bags of food and water. She felt around and grabbed a roll of paper. Calypso pulled the map out and handed it to Zen.

    ¡°Well, let''s see¡± Zen looked at the map and knew they would need a knew one soon. They had reached the edge of their map.

    ¡°We should arrive at the next town in about two days¡± Calypso looked up at the stars and frowned.

    Zen grabbed her hand ¡°Let''s go¡±

    They walked in-between the massive trees and over abundant shrubs.

    ¡°I''m hungry, are you?¡± Asked Zen. Calypso nodded and glanced at the backpack.

    ¡°Grab something sweet too¡±

    Calypso pulled out two bags and handed Zen a large chunk of dried meat. They chewed on whatever they could to pass the time. The moons above began to rule the sky. The sun fell behind the trees and out of view.

    ¡°I''ll set up the tent, just don''t run off anywhere¡± Said Zen as she stood up. She set down the backpack and began to set up the tent. Out of the corner of her eye she saw her black sword wrapped in chains. Zen placed her left hand on the case and shivered. She took a deep breath and moved it aside. She grabbed a few sticks and finished setting up the small square tent.

    Suddenly she heard Calypso scream and terror ran down her spine. She ran as fast as her legs could take her. She arrived to see Calypso crying over the shattered body of a woman in armor. She shouldn¡¯t have snuck up on her. Zen hugged Calypso knowing she must have been terrified. The woman had mostly likely survived the first impact but the armor she wore had most likely kept her chest in the shape it was.

    The sun was gone and what little light that remained was just enough for animals. Zen walked back with Calypso in her arms. She set Calypso down and kissed her cheek.

    ¡°I''ll be right back¡± Zen walked back to the mangled body.

    She got out her hunting knife and began to cut the armor off her body. She took the sword the woman had strapped to her side. It was snapped in half.

    Maybe I can fix it later.

    She took everything she could find that might be useful.

    ¡°That''s some nice boots you got there it would be ashamed if someone took them¡± Zen had a smirk on her smug little face. Her jet black braid bounced as she cut the armor off. She grabbed the boots and walked back to Calypso. ¡°Bunbun?¡±

    Calypso was sniffling and holding her teddy bear. Zen knew she was upset. Zen scooped her up and held her.

    ¡°Why did daddy hurt her?¡± Asked Calypso.

    ¡°He just wants to protect us. Remember that it''s not your fault. Just hold teddy and think about your mom¡±. She knew Calypso couldn''t remember her. But the picture they had was more than enough.

    ¡°Zen¡± whispered Calypso.

    ¡°Yeah?¡±

    ¡°Do you think Gilgamesh is still following us?¡±

    ¡°No baby¡± I know he is

    ¡°But if he is, dad will just kick his butt again¡± Zen began to tickle her niece. Zen wanted to keep Calypso¡¯s mind off of all the bad things. Once Calypso fell asleep Zen sparked a small fire.

    ¡°You awake?¡± Asked Zen.

    ¡°I don''t sleep¡± Spoke the shadow.

    It''s still strange to think you''re my brother¡­

    ¡°Is she asleep?¡± Asked the shadow.

    ¡°Really, how is it you can''t tell?¡± Two dark spheres of corrupted light began to edge their way closer. A abyss of light formed as it''s mouth. It''s mouth ate the flames.

    ¡°So you done eating?¡± Asked Zen.

    ¡°That was not very much energy.¡± Replied the shadow.

    ¡°You know what-¡±

    ¡°So my question is why do this, you know I could wipe every living thing off this planet.¡±

    ¡°Stop bragging, you know you can''t take them all on. And you know that stupid Prince would wipe the floor with you¡± Zen snorted.

    ¡°You don''t know till you''ve tried¡± Said the shadow.

    ¡°He made Gilgamesh his bitch, you had a hard time with Gilgamesh so I don''t really think you have a chance¡±

    ¡°So what did you really have in mind¡± Said the shadow.

    ¡°How sick is she¡­¡± Zen didn''t want to think about it.

    ¡°At the rate she''s is going...¡± the shadow fell silent

    ¡°Can we have this conversation away from her? I just can''t¡± The shadow began to choke on his words. They moved away from her and his words cried.

    ¡°Ten years at best. At that point her body will begin to shut down and she will die. But if we can get her home the human race has technology that can save her¡±

    ¡°So how exactly are we going to get passed the Prince and all his soldiers?¡±

    ¡°We can use the gods as a distraction. And if it works we can take the forge and use it to get you two home¡± Said the shadow.

    ¡°So, what do we do about the genocide?¡± Said Zen.

    ¡°Nothing, if we get involved, he will find us again. And the last thing we need is for her to get mad¡± Said the shadow.

    ¡°That''s too bad,¡± Said Zen.

    ¡°Because we''re gonna do something better than using Gods. Let''s starts a war¡±. She was too smart for her own good but to sadistic as well.

    ¡°How you gonna do that?¡±

    ¡°Easy, tell everyone Calypso is the child of the God Eater. We can get enough people if we go and promise everyone that once we overthrow the Prince they¡¯ll all have freedom. And we don''t even have to ask the boys. All Calypso has to do is tell them¡±

    The shadow was silent before effectively ending their conversation ¡°You should get some rest, I''ll keep watch¡±

    Zen found a place beside Calypso and fell asleep. Zen dreamt that night. She dreamt of a beast, one that held Calypso. It''s eyes looked down at a world devoid of life. It''s divine might knowing no mercy, but a flicker of hope. The body of a God half eaten lay at its feet. A god blade forced through its heart.

    ¡°Wake up¡± It was Calypso. Zen turned to look at her best friend

    ¡°Ready to take over the world?¡±

    ¡°Yeah but don''t be mean to anyone. It hurts their feelings¡±

    ¡°Don''t worry baby doll, I''ll try my best to be nice¡± Zen picked everything up and they continued their campaign. They marched through the woods knowing the shadow had most likely eaten everything near by.

    Calypso tugged on Zen¡¯s fingers ¡°We should get a puppy¡±

    ¡°We can barely feed ourselves. Maybe once we get a bit more power so we can actually defend ourselves¡± replied Zen. They walked at a fast pace and spotted another woman in armor.

    ¡°Shit¡± Said Zen. Why do those idiots keep following us, why don''t they learn.

    Zen turned towards Calypso ¡°Wait here¡±

    She dropped the backpack and held tight to her newly purchased sword.

    ¡°Hey, I don''t want any trouble¡± Said Zen.

    The woman said nothing to her. She merely stood still and kept facing Zen.

    ¡°Just let me go and we won''t have a problem¡± Zen knew that others were hidden about so their was no point in avoiding them.

    The woman had a dark armor. She knew that she would have three layers of armor. The regular chest plait, chain mail and hide.

    ¡°Come on back, it won''t be that bad. Being priests won''t hurt.¡± The women held out her hand.

    Zen knew this was a lie. They knew this as well. If they got their hands on Calypso it would be the beginning of the end. She was all they needed to create weapons that once were used to slay demigods and gods alike.

    ¡°Leave us alone for a while and we might consider it¡± Said Zen.

    The woman lifted her helmet to show where her eyes once stood ¡°Remember, we will be watching¡±

    She had been unworthy of the gifts the bloodline had to offer. She was forced to remove her own eyes. Those unworthy always did. The woman walked slowly but steadily. They were a monstrous people. But nothing near the worst.

    Zen walked back to Calypso and grabbed her. They continued to march. As they walked Calypso noticed it was oddly silent.

    ¡°I can''t hear any animals¡± Said Calypso.

    ¡°Don''t worry about it¡± Said Zen.

    What''s up with this place¡­ maybe shadow cleaned the place up. No, he can''t reach this far. Something''s wrong.

    ¡°Sweety, we are going to go around the woods okay?¡± Calypso nodded and they took a right. They knew their should be a clearing. They walked for a few hours and arrived.

    ¡°What the¡­¡± it looked as if something had given the world an edge. Possibly thousands of miles down. But that wasn''t the thing that caught Zen off guard. She didn''t believe it existed until that moment.

    ¡°Zen, what is that?¡± Calypso was tugging at her own fire red hair with one hand and on Zen''s black hair with the other.

    ¡°Well, that is Mother Tera¡± Zen felt the words come out of her mouth slowly. She didn''t believe something so strange could be real. It''s body was probably three thousand miles tall. The farm lands of the Prince. His nation received over fifty percent of their crops from this tiny area. She knew at most it was forty thousand miles across.

    ¡°Why are those people jumping?¡± Calypso had her eyes fixed on tiny dots in the distance.Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.

    Zen knew what was actually happening. They were pushing old slaves off the cliff. Those old men fell to their deaths.

    ¡°Let''s keep going¡± Zen picked Calypso up again. They kept glancing at the far off specter. She had once been an aggressive creation of the God Eater or so the legends went. But thousands of years had rounded her sharp fangs but only because she chose to let them dull. She almost looked normal besides the oddly pale skin.

    ¡°She kinda looks like us¡± Calypso had her hand up comparing the color of her own hand to Mother Tera.

    As far as they knew, no one else on the planet had skin as pale as they did. The Noah noted this every time they encountered them. But Calypso¡¯s red hair was what gave most people a sense of awe.

    ¡°You''re right¡± Said Zen.

    Zen had taken every book she could get her hands to know this world.

    And she knew what Mother Tera was made of a material that had once been used to create the Elder blades. Zen also knew that the Prince had been ruling over his kingdom for the past fifty thousand years. Some speculated that he was immortal. But none had seen him since the first fifteen years of his rain. Zen suspected he had died at a young age and they used his name to uphold the kingdom.

    ¡°Let''s keep going¡± Said Zen.

    Night came and passed without any particular events. Zen looked up at the trees and saw that she was hoping for. The city had been carved into the trees. Zen could see a guard standing in rusted armor. His blade was worn and his face was missing hope.

    ¡°Stop where you stand in the honor of her Majesty, Queen Akana. State your business¡± His voice seemed to carry through the motions with every sound.

    ¡°Nice to meet you, my title is Akla. I am here to see a friend of mine¡± Zen looked at his mind and began to read his past.

    ¡°I am sorry but I can''t let you up without payment and authorization from the Queen that payment was sufficient¡± Said the rusted man.

    ¡°How old were you when they took you away?¡± Zen''s voice had taken a lighter motherly tone.

    Despite only being seven she did this well.

    ¡°Five¡± Said the rusted man. He knew even if he was a guard he had to replied to her.

    ¡°Do you miss your home?¡± Asked Zen taking a step forward.

    ¡°Everyday¡± his eyes were pulled down by the weight of those word.

    ¡°How old are you?¡± Zen knew his age but wanted him to recall that he didn''t remember anymore.

    ¡°I don''t know¡± His voice wavering.

    ¡°I''ll make you a promise, when I leave, you will be coming with us.¡±

    ¡°I mean no disrespect but you won''t be able to uphold it¡± Said the rusted man.

    ¡°Let me up there and I''ll prove it to you¡± Said Zen.

    ¡°I still must follow the orders given¡± Zen nodded and tossed him a small pouch.

    He placed the money in a box and tugged on a rope. A half hour passed before a note arrived.

    ¡°You have been allowed passage. All I can offer is my apologizes for the long wait¡±

    ¡°No need, thanks you¡± his new smile sat beneath blood red eyes.

    It was the first time anyone had ever thanked him. They reached the top of the rope system that lifted them. When they reached the top Zen could see the vast city in the trees.

    ¡°Thank you¡± Said Zen.

    She walked away and headed to find someone she desperately needed. As they walked away Calypso glanced out from under her mask, her eyes of flaming gold and crimson. The man looked into her eyes and knew.

    ¡°Praised be Anoxion¡± spoke his lips.

    Zen walked about the city and took in her surroundings. Hundreds of people were running about like bugs looking for food. Zen could smell the millions of flowers that were being bought and sold. She looked at the auction block and turned away. She didn''t want Calypso to see. Zen reached a wall made of mangled thorns. Five guards stood at the gate. They were in fine armor that shined like the sun.

    ¡°Hello, I''m Akla¡± Said Zen.

    They remained silent. Zen never liked to use the marks to get my but she had to from time to time. Zen removed her gloves and pulled up her sleeve. Her right arm had a mark only Royal could have. They kneeled and two of the larger men moved the door. They were young. Fresh out of training, they would never talk back to a woman, much less royalty.

    ¡°Thank you¡± Said Zen. They seemed shocked and looked on at her as if she were a God of sorts. Zen walked about and could see women with their servants alongside them. She knew they were all slaves. She eventually found a massive building and walked in. She could feel the heat. The massive steel cage was suspended by cables.

    ¡°Hello, welcome to my shop¡± Said a woman covered in jewels.

    Her eyes holding a sliver of fiery gold. Just enough to be seen from a short distance. Despite looking as poor as dirt the fact that she was inside the upper class section told the woman there was money to be made.

    ¡°Hi, I''m looking for a Master blacksmith¡± Said Zen.

    ¡°Well, title¡¯s before business dear¡± The woman had her hand out.

    She had no intention of shaking hands. That was meant for equals. Her hand was bent palm facing down.

    ¡°Akla¡± the woman attempted to hide her disgraceful gesture by placing her hand on the counter. She awkwardly leaned on the counter attempting to seem natural. She placed her free left hand over her heart.

    ¡°I am honored¡± the woman was shaking slightly.

    ¡°Did you just assume your setpriority?¡± Zen felt like a moron saying it but knew it would help her in the long run.

    ¡°I apologize, please forgive my actions¡± Said the woman.

    Eww I can''t believe I have to do this. Zen spit at the floor

    ¡°You think you can just apologize and have such a great crime looked over!?¡±

    I sound so stupid. She dropped to her hands and knees.

    ¡°I offer you any item here, at half value¡± Said the woman.

    ¡°What is your title?¡± Asked Zen.

    ¡°Norasa¡± Said the woman.

    ¡°Well, I told you I wanted a Master blacksmith didn''t I¡± Said Zen.

    The woman squeaked with fear.

    ¡°Where is it¡± Why do I have to drop to their level. I need a good shower after this.

    ¡°We have far more valuable items here¡± Said Norasa.

    ¡°Are you questioning me?¡±

    ¡°N-no¡­¡± She stood up and walked to massive cage.

    She pulled on a gold chain and a few seconds later a large man walked out. His skin was covered in ash giving it a sickly pale color like Zen¡¯s.

    ¡°This is my blacksmith¡± Said the woman.

    He kneeled and looked down. Zen placed Calypso down and walked over to him. Zen reached out to shake his hand. His massive hands were covered in black coal. He seemed confused and slowly reached out.

    ¡°Nice to meet you.¡± Zen felt his hands and could feel the years of flames trapped within. He didn''t speak, it was disgraceful for someone like him to speak to someone like her.

    ¡°How much for him?¡± Asked Zen.

    The woman gasped knowing she had to place a price on her tool.

    ¡°He''s very expensive, I had him imported from a far away land. He is from a family of blacksmiths.¡±

    ¡°How much¡± Repeated Zen.

    ¡°At the very least three sunstones¡± Said the woman.

    "Well, good things I just so happen to be rich¡± Zen smiled knowing she would.have to cut the price.

    Her mouth dropped and she murmured.

    ¡°I can''t just give him up you know¡±

    ¡°You aren''t going to, I''m gonna buy him. And you did say anything half price so I''ll be taking him. For one sunstone and five hundred platinum coins¡± Said Zen.

    Zen had robbed a bandit camp and several War Lords for all they had. The woman seemed almost angry.

    ¡°Well¡­ I''ll give you everything on the shelves just leave my tool here, he''s not that good at crafting anyway.¡±

    ¡°Them maybe I''m paying too much.¡±

    ¡°Just give me the money and take him¡± Said the woman in defeat.

    Zen smiled and reached into her backpack.

    ¡°Here you go¡± Said Zen with a sly smile.

    Zen grabbed the blacksmith''s hand ¡°Let''s go see the Queen¡±.

    Zen grabbed Calypso and marched to the palace of the Queen.

    ¡°You ready baby face?¡± Calypso nodded.

    Zen walked right up to the guards and said ¡°Hi, Gilgamesh is coming and I really hope you have some God slayer blades because he''s pissed. He should be here in about a week and unless I get to talk to your Queen. Well you know what he will do¡±

    Zen knew they were terrified. Of all the people that walked the world he was the most arrogant. He couldn''t keep himself from starting a fight. It had to be him against the world. It wouldn''t be fair otherwise. They stepped aside and let the massive door open. They wouldn''t dare take a threat like Gilgamesh lightly. According to legend he was a natural born killer. Many thousands of years ago he had been one of thousands. But his lust for power had been more than his race could stand for. The rest is lost in whispers.

    Zen walked through the grand halls and the moment that she stepped into the throne room she yelled ¡°Gilgamesh!¡±

    The people that stood around a large table looked over at her. A massive chandelier hung overhead in the air.

    ¡°I know you all know the name and more importantly you know he''s been on quite the adventure. He wants to kill the most powerful person on the planet. With the exception of the Prince, well maybe him too but we all know that''s not happening. Anyway I''m here to challenge the Queen of Vaston.¡±

    They looked at Zen and began to chuckle.

    ¡°Call the Queen here¡± Said one of the speakers.

    ¡°How would you know Gilgamesh is attempting to find an adversary.¡± Said one of the speaker.

    ¡°Well, as you all know the City of Totil fell two months ago. He was looking for someone to fight him. He wiped the entire city off the face of the world. And he''s going to come here next so I have an offer to make you¡±

    The sound of heavy feet along with the creaking of a door passed through the room. The guards bowed and the Queen had arrived. Her dark skin looked like a flawless creation of the gods. Her light gray hair sat loosely at her side. But her eyes held two spikes of gold in each. ¡°What is that peasant doing her¡± Scowled the Queen.

    ¡°Better watch that pretty mouth of yours before I break it¡±

    ¡°What did you just say?¡±

    ¡°Wow, deaf, stupid and arrogant. What a combination. And just so you can know I said better watch that pretty mouth of yours before I break it¡±

    Zen watcher her walk over and tries her best to show her power. Her eyes were locked on Zen¡¯s.

    ¡°I was here to challenge you but now I''m here to beat the life out of¡­¡± Zen felt a slight tug on her backpack.

    ¡°Right, anyway I challenge you and your best warrior''s¡±

    ¡°You don''t have the right¡± Said the Queen.

    ¡°But she does¡± Said Zen.

    Calypso removed her mask and blinked her eyes of flames. The queen¡¯s eyes became wide and filled with fear.

    ¡°Now then. I''ll have a word with my friend before we get started¡± Said Zen.

    She walked over to the blacksmith. A few moments passed and Zen set her backpack on the floor.

    ¡°You ready¡± Zen was taking a moment to stretch.

    The so called Queen called forth her strongest warrior. The person was hidden behind a wall of armor. Zen began to break down the armor in her mind. What did the armor have that she could use against it. Zen looked closely and smiled to herself. The massive body that was facing her stepped forward.

    ¡°And begin!¡± Yelled the Queen.

    Zen held her sword tight and knew full well she didn''t need to use it. The person charged at Zen and Zen tossed a small blade missing her target horribly. Zen rushed at her target and stopped just a few feet short. A massive chandelier fell on the warrior and Zen knew it could be nowhere near enough to stop the warrior. Zen ran over and slammed her blade next to the ears of the warrior. She knew it would make her enemy deaf for a short time. And throw off their balance. The person began to lift the chandelier and with rage began to thrash about. Zen looked at the gap in the armor just under the armpit. She rejected the plan in her mind knowing she would kill her adversary. Zen could hear the heavy breathing of her adversary and knew it was just about time. Zen took a deep breath and unsheathed her dark blade. A rapid wind began to flow passed everyone falling into Zen''s blades. Her advisory was attempting to take a breath but only managed to clasp for the air.

    Zen placed her sword back in its place ¡°So, now that I won give me all your sunstones and all your most expensive artifacts.¡± Zen knew they had to.

    ¡°The Queen must still face off against, what is your title?¡±

    ¡°Calypso¡± her little hands were by her side.

    ¡°Just remember you don¡¯t have to let him fight¡± Said Zen.

    Calypso nodded and walked over to the backpack. She grabbed two large balls that looked like they just might be gloves. She walked over to the Queen and Zen cleared her throat.

    ¡°Oh!¡± Calypso ran over to Zen and waited. Zen grabbed a piece of string and placed Calypso''s hair in a bun.

    ¡°Have fun¡± Zen whispered to Calypso as she ran back over and the Queen that seemed to be offended.

    ¡°A child? I''m going to challenge a child. Do you really think I would go so low as to fight a child?¡±

    ¡°Well, yeah. You seem the type. But you should really keep an eye on her¡± Zen looked over at Calypso who just so happened to be freaking out.

    ¡°What you scared to fight a child?¡± Zen smirked, the Queen donned her own blade and looked dead at Calypso.

    Zen covered her ears and stood behind the blacksmith. When the Queen lifted her blade the ground beneath her feet shattered like glass. Calypso was still freaking out. A deep black smoke was oozing from the sword. The smoke began to surround Calypso and the Queen vanished in it. Zen saw it. Her shadow was awake again. It''s eyes made from corrupted light pulsed and seemed to be looking at everything at the exact same moment. The Queen shot out of the smoke and was aiming for the back of Calypso''s head. Calypso''s hand shot back braking the world around her. The Queen screamed, clasping her shattered arm. The blade had shot through a wall and managed to wipe out a wall. Zen knew it was long gone. It was probably flying out into the middle of nowhere.

    ¡°Well, so sorry for the trouble but we will be taking all your expensive stuff. And don''t worry we will try to keep Gilgamesh from dropping by. But if he does. Tell him we will be heading to see the Prince¡± Zen waited until they received all that they wanted and left soon after.

    Zen didn''t care for such a tiny city. But she had to have her way. Zen walked about the town and found exactly who she was looking for.

    ¡°Hey old friend¡± Said Zen.

    ¡°Calypso go look for some flowers with our new friend¡± the woman was frozen with fear.

    She had hoped that Zen would be locked up in some places of worship in some far off land or dead. Zen waited till Calypso was gone and grabbed the woman.

    ¡°Please!¡± Screamed the woman.

    Zen pulled her down and clasped the woman''s throat with enough force to nearly kill her then and there. They began to get odd glances from the other women.

    ¡°You tried to sell me¡± Said Zen.

    ¡°I wasn''t my choice they told me I had to. Or they''d kill me¡±

    ¡°Oh! I''m so sorry I didn''t know. You should have told me sooner¡± Zen''s voice held a deep tone of sarcasm.

    ¡°You could have saved them a lot of trouble¡± Zen snapped her neck and tossed her through a wall.

    Everyone had a blade out and was aiming it at Zen.

    ¡°Put those toys down. You ain''t gonna do shit¡± Zen walked out and found Calypso in an armoury.

    ¡°Did you guys find anything?¡± Asked Zen with a sweet kind voice.

    ¡°I have an idea¡± Said Calypso looking at a large cape.

    Zen got herself a souvenir. A small blade with a bone handle. Zen walked to the auction block with her friend. Calypso was sitting on the blacksmith¡¯s shoulders. His title just so happened to be Tanner.

    ¡°And now last but not least¡± yelled the slave trader.

    ¡°All the way from the fallen god lands, captured within the city of the lost. The Arnokian¡± Several children were lined up.

    This was strange to say the least. People never wanted children because they weren''t big enough for hard work. Some were but costed quite a bit to raise. They tended to eat more and be more rebellious.

    ¡°I will be starting the auction with this young boy, he''s a bit thin but no need to worry. It will get plump quickly. Fifty thousand bronze¡± Said the Woman.

    One after another the price rose.

    ¡°Fifty five thousand¡± Said another woman.

    ¡°Ninety thousand¡± yet another

    ¡°One thousand silver¡± Said Zen reserving a fake signal from Calypso.

    ¡°Going once going twice sold!¡± One after another Zen bought slave after slave.

    Zen had a total of four.

    ¡°Let''s go¡± Said Zen after handing the woman her silver.

    They walked to the lift and Zen reached the bottom.

    ¡°Hey old man¡± Zen''s eyes gave him a deep seeded fear but a hope that far surpassed it.

    ¡°How may I assist you?¡±

    ¡°Well, the thing is I need a funny Grandpa for my team so you look like a good candidate¡± his face smiled again.

    ¡°She''s the Queen now¡± Said Zen.

    The four boys looked at Calypso who was still hiding under the cloak.

    ¡°I¡¯d be honored¡± Zen walked at the front of the pack. Zen knew what she had to do next. And this battle would be something she knew just might ended her life.

 Clypso: Chapter 2.1 Rags

    ¡°Are you done fixing my bow?¡± Asked Koano.

    He looked at his sister''s hands as they danced around the bow.

    ¡°Done¡± Ghara smiled and handed her brother the bow.

    ¡°Come on, we need to find something to eat today¡± he walked slowly with his sister away from the city. The dead crops crunched beneath his feet as they walked.

    ¡°Do you think we will find something today?¡± Asked Ghara.

    ¡°Not if you don''t shut up¡± They walked deep into the woods looking all around for anything. The light buzzing if a few bugs seemed almost appetizing. They walked for hours and found only trees. They had picked the area clean like carnivorous bugs on a dead body.

    ¡°A berry bush!¡± the flapping of massive wings filled her ears.

    ¡°You idiot!¡± Yelled her brother.

    The bird had gotten away.

    ¡°I''m sorry I just got excited, but look¡­¡±

    ¡°But nothing! Because of you we are all going to be hungry! You know what get out of here! Go home, I don''t need you!¡± Ghara felt a tear fall down her face.

    She turned and ran she knew she would regret it. The hunger pains always got worse after she ran. She stopped once she knew that he would not hear her cry.

    She had to be the strong one. She walked through the empty trees and salted ground. The flood had left the dirt sterile.

    Ghara looked at her home. A small box made of mud and sticks. Her father was tending to the grubs. She felt a sharp pain in her arm and looked at the Thorn kiss. She knew the pain would linger in her skin. Its venom would flow through her veins and arteries setting her body ablaze with pain. Or it would if she hadn''t been her father''s daughter and been born with a natural resistance.

    She walked up to her father. He bowed as the law demanded.

    ¡°Hi Hanro¡± she greeted her father.

    ¡°How are this day Ghara?¡±

    ¡°I''m doing well¡± She smiled.

    Her father smirked and nodded.

    ¡°I got in a little fight with Koano¡± Said Ghara.

    ¡°Well, I know you two will work it out. If you don''t mind, can you help me find the grubs¡± Ghara nodded yes and grabbed a stick.

    Her father jumped into the mud. The thick tree root armor would protect him from the bites. Her father moved around and a few seconds later pulled himself out. Several large white grubs were clamped to his armor. Ghara whacked the grubs off. She only hit the small ones. Once she wacked enough off her father walked to a small stone area.

    Ghara grabbed her knife and stabbed it through their small hearts. She kicked the small ones back in. She wondered if her brother had found anything. Step after step he marched.

    ¡°Why can''t she shut up. All she does is ruin everything¡± Koano stepped over a large white log.

    He knew he had a few hours left. The trees seemed to be made of the dirt. Every inch of them matching the color perfectly. Koano heard the flutter of wings. He turned and could see it. A large black crow.

    He froze for a moment. He knew they were just legends. He pulled back and let the sharp stone pass through its heart. The crow fell screaming out into the night. It spread its wings one last time as it attempted to reach its home. Koano sent another arrow through its mind.

    He knew they would never eat it knowing it was a crow. He removed the feathers and the head. He cut off the feet and removed all the meat from the bone. He placed the meat in a pouch and took everything that might be useful. Koano collected the feathers and anything that looked like it belonged to a crow. He hid them in the dirt and started the walk home.

    ¡°How far did Koano go?¡± Asked her father.

    ¡°Well, we took about three hours to walk out their¡± Said Ghara.

    ¡°I''ll go find him, it''s gonna be dark soon¡± Said her father

    ¡°I''ll do it, I want to talk to him anyway¡± She felt terrible that he was out there on his own.

    She grabbed a lantern and walked out into the darkness. Her dim light slowly pushing apart the void.

    Maybe I''ll find the berry bush again. He loved berries.

    With every step her hope grew. She walked through the dark and found the tiny berry bush. She heard something light. The chirp of a small animal. Ghara looked around and saw the nest. She grabbed a branch and made her way up. She looked in and could see a tiny bird. It''s body had no feathers only a small beak. It''s eyes had yet to see the horrors of the world. She smiled and lost her smile when it didn''t move. She looked at her hair. She grabbed a lock of her hair and cut a it. She placed it around the bird. It opened its tiny mouth to receive food. She knew she had nothing. She looked down at the bush and found five tiny berries. She got down and picked each one carefully. She climbed up again and crushed up the berry. She dropped the food in its mouth. She placed a tiny stick over its head and walked around looking for her brother.

    She looked well into the night and knew he would be heading in. She looked at the berries and ate one. When she arrived home she could smell something. She walked into the tiny home and could see that there was a small amount of food on the table. She placed the berries on the table and ate some of the grub. Only a tiny porschen was edible but it was enough. She gagged just a bit but finished her meal. She could see her brother asleep on his bed. She lay on her mat looking out the cracks in the door. She smiled knowing it would live to see another day. If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

    When dawn came she was awake by her father ¡°Ghara, the guards are here. You know what to do¡± her father was holding everything that could indicate that they had been their.

    She sat alone and did what she could to clean the home. She eventual heard a knocking at the door. Fear had its claws infused into her spine. The beasts had arrived. She opened the door and could see a woman in armor. Every inch of her body was covered in armor.

    ¡°Where are your caretakers¡± A voice like steel hit her.

    ¡°I don''t have any¡± Said the Ghara.

    The hand hit her with enough force to send her skidding.

    ¡°Lie to me again and it will be the last thing you do¡± Said the guard.

    Ghara lay on the floor attempting to get up. Her face had gone num. She attempted to say something, anything but only air came out.

    They walked into the house and grabbed anything they could brake. They grabbed the meat and smashed anything that could be.

    A hand clasped her throat and said ¡°Where are they¡±.

    Ghara knew this was intentional. She was unable to speak. A heavy hand hit her taking the breath from her lungs. Pain began to flow through her body. The guard dragged her out of her home. With a single swing a guard smashed her home.

    ¡°Where are they¡± She knew it wasn''t a question, it didn''t even sound like one.

    ¡°I don''t know¡± Cried Ghara.

    She felt the hand toss her into the grub pit. She knew what was to come. Sharp pain attacked her body as the grubs attempted to eat her. She screamed and they asked again

    ¡°Where are they¡±

    ¡°I don''t know¡± She truly had no idea.

    She attempted to crawl out but only received a strong hit from the blunt end of a spear.

    ¡°Where¡±

    Ghara cried once more ¡°I don''t know¡± her hand had reached the edge and the boot smashed her hand.

    The guards began to walk away and Ghara made it out. She killed the grubs and did her best to clean the wounds. She lay on the floor and soon after another villager found her.

    He did his best to fix her up and had to leave soon after. Ghara waited till her father and brother arrived home. She couldn''t do anything anyway. When her father saw her he went into a full sprint and reached her crying.

    ¡°I''m sorry, I''m so sorry¡± He feared that if he touched her the wounds would open. He father and brother spent the night tending to her and fixing the house.

    They could hear the cries for the lost. The guards would drop by and take the men for war. And often if a girl was born with the mark of the God eater they would pay a great deal for the child. But if a boy was born with the mark. They would take it and a weapon it would become.

    ¡°I''m sorry I let them break the house¡± Said Ghara.

    ¡°Don''t be sorry. You didn''t do this¡± Said her father.

    ¡°I''m going to look for more food. They took everything but four berries.¡±

    ¡°I''m gonna go for a walk to think¡± Said Ghara.

    She stood up and her brother headed in the opposite direction. She held one of the berries in hand. She walked passed everything and over white stones. She reached her destination.

    She used her one good hand to climb up. She could see the tiny bird with the tiny stick over his head. It had yet to move. She tapped it and it lifted its head waiting for the food. She gave it the berry and it chirped. She got down slowly and walked back home.

    She arrived just in time to see her brother step out of the woods. He had a bug hanging from his bow. She arrived at the house and looked at his catch.

    ¡°Wow, its so shiny!¡± She looked at its shell. It seemed to have every color mixed with green.

    ¡°The traps I made worked¡± Said Koano.

    Her father started a fire and cooked it. They ate small amounts knowing people had died from overeating many times before. She went to bed to build her strength. The next day her father woke her.

    ¡°Looks like it''s going to rain¡± His face carried a smile.

    They needed the rain. The endless black clouds seemed filled with promise.

    Ghara spent most of the day in bed. Her wounds would heal fast when resting, or at least that is what she hoped. The new day came and she went for another walk. She walked admiring the trees. Each was far older than most cared to understand.

    Ghara reached the home of the bird and made a decision. She would make her home his. She walked to its house and climbed up its tree. She looked at her little friend. She lifted its nest and began her way down.

    ¡°Let it go¡± Said a voice with a deathly calm.

    She jolted and lost her grip. She clasped the bird close to her chest and fell back. She knew it was too late to try and regain her grip. The best she could do is save the bird. She closed her eyes and felt her body land in someone''s arms. She opened her eyes and could see something strange.

    Blue eyes.

    She looked into the strange color. He had black there they white''s of his eyes should be. It was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen.

    He set her down ¡°Give me that bird¡±.

    ¡°Why do you want it?¡±

    Your eyes are so beautiful¡­

    ¡°I''m hungry that''s why, just give me it why would you care¡± Said the boy.

    ¡°No¡± Said Ghara.

    He grabbed her wrist ¡°I wasn''t asking¡±

    Ghara was caught off guard. She had never heard a boy talk back to a girl that he wasn''t well acquainted with.

    You''re strange, that''s nice.

    ¡°You¡¯re going to hurt it aren''t you¡± Said Ghara.

    ¡°So what if I do. You know what, I''ll make a deal with you¡± He reached into his pocket. He held a single gold coin. She knew what it was worth. She knew just how much she could get with it.

    She held the bird close and took a breath. ¡°No¡± she had made up her mind. This bird was her friend. It was her joy. She would not give it up. His hand clasped around her throat.

    ¡°Give me that stupid bird or I''ll kill you¡± Her head began to burn. She had lost whatever hope she had for him.

    ¡°No¡± She declared through clenched teeth.

    He sat her down and looked into her eyes. She felt a sadness in his eyes. A pain that had know sadness so well they became one. His arms wrapped around her as he began to cry. Ghara didn''t know why but she held him.

    Never once in her all of life had she ever felt as confused as she did now. She felt his tears sting her cuts. She didn''t flinch, she didn''t wince. She smiled and as he fell to his knees. She held him.

    I like you strange boy.

    She waited and asked his ¡°What''s your title¡±.

    ¡°There''s no need for that. You can have my name.¡± She felt her entire face blush. She kept in mind that she was holding the bird.

    ¡°What!?¡± Yelled Ghara.

    He held her free hand. His eyes the absolute incarnation of join on their world.

    ¡°I love you. Never once in my life has anyone tried to protect me out of their own free will without expecting something in return¡± Said the boy.

    ¡°What do you mean?¡± Asked Ghara.

    ¡°That doesn''t matter, my name is¡­¡±

    ¡°Wait! Listen, we just meet, maybe we should get to know each other first¡± Said Ghara.

    He smiled ¡°Fine but only because I love you¡±

    ¡°So why did you want the bird¡± Ghara truly wanted to know.

    ¡°Because it''s mine. It''s complicated as to why but it is. Can I walk you home?¡± Asked the boy.

 Clypso: Chapter 2.2 Rags

    ¡°Because it''s mine. It''s complicated as to why but it is. Can I walk you home?¡± Asked the boy.

    Ghara notice just how well built the boy was. He looked nothing like the boys in her village. He was muscular and rather tall.

    ¡°Sure¡± They began walking back.

    ¡°So where you from?¡± Asked Ghara.

    ¡°I was born in the sky city of Lorinax. How about you?¡±

    ¡°I''ll show you¡± Said Ghara.

    The strange boy seemed oddly calm.

    ¡°I know this is rude but can I ask about your eyes?¡±

    ¡°Sure, what about them?¡± he seemed all too happy to talk to her.

    ¡°Well, they aren''t red, or gold so...¡±

    ¡°It''s because I''m a warlock and a descendant of the created.¡± Said the boy.

    ¡°Do you have a title?¡± Asked Ghara.

    ¡°Yeah, a few actually but just call me Albion¡± Said the blue eyed boy.

    As they walked he noticed the cuts across her arms and legs.

    ¡°How did that happen?¡± Asked Albion.

    ¡°Well, the guards got mad at me and hurt me.¡±

    ¡°Oh, well they won''t anymore. I can''t have anyone hurting my to be beloved.¡± Said Albion.

    Albion walked into a thorn bush. The thorns cut deep into his arms and he seemed not to notice.

    ¡°Your arm!¡± Ghara held the bird in one hand and reached for him with the other.

    ¡°You care if I get hurt?¡± Asked Albion.

    ¡°Of course I do!¡± Ghara grabbed her shirt and ripped a large piece off.

    She wrapped it around his wounds. His eyes looked over her mystified by this action. Ghara looked up at him and felt his hand hold the side of her face.

    ¡°I truly love you¡± His blue eyes flashed a light blue as he said this.

    She felt like she could be weak around him. She felt as if he was making himself weak and defenseless. She smiled and continued to walk with her.

    ¡°Would you mind if I held your hand?¡± Asked Albion.

    Ghara simply grabbed his hand and smiled. They arrived at her home and he tilted his head. They walked up to Koano and Albion shrugged.

    ¡°Who is he?¡± Koano seemed to disprove of Albion.

    ¡°My title is Albion, The Siege, Darkest night, Murder, Lios, Kilnas, or Lost Dawn whatever you feel like. Nice to meet you.¡±

    ¡°Yeah¡± Koano turned away and got back to making a new bow. She could tell he didn''t believe any of his titles.

    ¡°Hello, I''m Ghana''s father. Hanro¡± He reached out and shook Albion''s hand.

    ¡°What''s that you got?¡± Asked Hanro.

    ¡°It''s a bird, I think it might a gemmo but it seems a little pale.¡±

    ¡°Well, I''m gonna get back to the grubs.¡± He walked off.

    Her father walked back to the pit and started feeding them tree bark.

    ¡°So, do you want to sit and talk with me?¡± Asked Ghara.

    ¡°That would be wonderful!¡± They both sat on the floor and Ghara placed the bird in the middle.

    ¡°I have a few questions if you don''t mind¡± Said Albion.

    ¡°Sure, and just to be fair I have a few for you¡± Ghara had a smile on her light pink lips.

    ¡°Why did the people hurt you?¡±This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

    ¡°Because I didn''t tell them where my brother and father went. They would have taken them away.¡±

    ¡°What is wrong with them. Don''t they know you care for them¡± Albion had his hands in fists.

    ¡°It''s not that bad they keep monsters from attacking us¡±

    ¡°They are monsters. No good person would hurt someone as lovely and kind as yourself.¡± Albion looked down at the bird and sighed.

    He reached into his pocket and handed the bird some mush.

    ¡°Now a question for you¡± Ghara knew this was the perfect question.

    ¡°Can you teach me Voterian Arts?¡±

    ¡°You know the Ark title of Magic?¡± Replied Albion.

    ¡°That''s not the question¡± Said Ghara with a smirk.

    ¡°Only if you are willing to sacrifice something more valuable than life itself¡± His eyes held an intense rage.

    Ghara felt fear and anxiety wondering what sacrifice must be made to know the sacred Ark art of Magic.

    ¡°Whatever it takes I''m ready to do it¡± Ghara didn''t want to be helpless anymore. If he could help her become stronger she would give her very soul.

    ¡°You have to know this is absolute. Once you take the first step it''s life, death or consumption of the void¡±

    ¡°I understand¡±

    ¡°Preki¡± Said Albion. He was blushing.

    Of all the things a warlock, a masters of the great order born from a legacy of legendary warriors that bordered on myth could blush about he blushed about a kiss.

    ¡°You''re adorable you know that¡± She didn''t know she was blushing just as much.

    ¡°I¡¯ll make you a deal. Teach me everyday for the next month and it''s yours.¡±

    ¡°Let''s start today¡± He began to write down something.

    ¡°Now as you can see¡­¡±

    ¡°I can''t read¡± Said Ghara.

    He seemed confused and looked at her.

    ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°I can''t read what you have written. That on the paper¡±

    ¡°Well, if you don''t know I''ll have to teach you¡± Said Albion.

    Ghara spent the day learning how to read. She placed the bird on her table. When night came Albion asked ¡°Can I spend this night with you¡±

    ¡°Absolutely but you''re taking my bed. I''ll be sleeping nearby¡± Ghara woke the next day and wondered what time it was.

    She looked out the door and could see it was still dark. She looked through the house and found a lantern. As the dim light washed over the home she found that Albion was missing from his bed.

    A bloody cry for mercy rang out and cut through the darkness. The sound of heavy armor attacked her very will to live. They were back.

    ¡°What''s going on?¡± Said Koano.

    ¡°The guards are here!¡± Said Ghara.

    It was too late to run. Too late to hide. Only enough time to say goodbye. She could see the lanterns of the guards like the eyes of a wild beast. She looked at her father and brother. She looked back and could see Albion standing in front of the guards.

    He stood just within reach of the light of the lanterns. He seemed completely unphased by the presence of the guards.

    ¡°I don''t like the way you treated my future wife Ghara. If you apologize I might go easy on you¡± Albion dawned his blade.

    Before Ghara could scream that someone was already behind him. The spear left him standing in place. He clasped at it, he kept attempting to pull it out.

    ¡°I''ll kill you!¡± Said the boy as blood flooded his lungs. The guard walk around to stand before him.

    ¡°Maybe you will. But it won''t be in this life.¡± She forced a second blade through his heart.

    His body went limp. She placed her weapon in its place and ripped the spear from his spine. The guard walked towards Ghara.

    ¡°Was that thing yours. You seemed pretty upset when I killed it¡± Said the guard.

    One of the guards slammed her blade through him once more and lead on it. She smiled as she looked into Ghara¡¯s eyes. The sound of grinding bone filled her ears. Ghara was frozen in fear as Albion stood once again. His arm shot up backwards and locked around the arm of the guards.

    Albion crushed her arm and smiled as his own blood saturated the ground. The guard screamed and he tossed her into the darkness. Something unholy reached down from the heavens and crushed her lower half. Hundreds of beasts were birthed from the darkness. They began to tear her apart. She was still screaming when it dragged her into the sky.

    The guards seemed to be angry but more afraid of this beast. He pulled the blade from his destroyed form. He began to laugh and slit his own throat.

    ¡°Nothing can kill me¡± Wings made of jet black feathers sprang from his back. A sound like massive sales of a ship preparing for its final odyssey.

    The sky split showing the clouds were not what they seemed. Crows in the tens of billions. They swooped down crashing together forming a massive abomination. They formed what looked like a dragon. It''s body was a mass of black flesh and bone.

    ¡°I don''t care anymore¡± Albion lifted his right hand and clasped the air. An explosion of godly force had crushed one of the guards.

    Ghara didn''t know what to think of this warlock. His heart filled with rage and hate. His eyes full of loss. His body fell apart becoming crows. They flew into the darkness. One of the guards ran at Ghara.

    Her hope was if the could reach Ghara she could force this forgotten god to surrender. Ghara looked at the most primal fear in the face of the guard.

    Something had clasped her skull in its hand. It began to squeeze and her screaming began. Its hand began to slowly crush her head. The armor she had to protect her slowly cut into her skull. Her body shot into the air. Her screaming slowly faded into the dark but burned into her memory. Whatever remained of the guards was dragged off into his endless form.

    ¡°Albion?¡± Said Ghara with fear and an overwhelming sense of dread.

    ¡°Sorry about all that. I just lost my temper¡± He swayed his hand and his crows began to fly away. A rift in the sky open letting some light in.

    Ghara didn''t notice this but they had other places to be.

    ¡°What just happened?¡± Ghara was afraid of this mad God. His eyes seemed afraid when she saw them.

    ¡°Please, I don''t want to be alone anymore¡± Said this strange boy.

    ¡°I''m not afraid¡± Ghara took a step forward. She walked to face the lonely god. She placed her hands on either side of his face and held him.

    ¡°You don''t have to be alone anymore¡±

 Calypso: chapter 3.1 William

    A sturdy hand struck his face.

    He nodded ¡°I apologize, I will insure that I do not fail you again¡±.

    He picked up what remained of the cups. Sweeping the pieces into a bag.

    I should have known, her divine majesty didn''t want crystal cups today. Today''s to sunny. No wonder she didn''t want them.

    He walked to the trash in the kitchen and placed the dishes in.

    ¡°Hello, Nie¡±

    ¡°Hello Nesha, she didn''t like the cups¡± William looked at the wonderful woman that created the meals for the Queen herself

    ¡°Nie, are you doing anything later today?¡±

    ¡°You would have to ask her Majesty¡± the divine goddess herself!

    ¡°Mind asking her if I can borrow you for a few hours later. Just tell her I need you to help me find some herbs in the garden¡± Nesha winked and waved him goodbye.

    William walked back to his Queen. The several hundred pounds of armor bounced with his every joyfully step. His gilded right eyes gleamed with joy as his jogged back.

    ¡°I have informed Nasha that the food was not to your liking¡±

    ¡°William, come over here¡± Her eyes spoke to him. His god, his world, his life spoke to him.

    ¡°Yes your Majesty?¡± She who is all.

    ¡°Take me to town, I want to see the festival¡±

    ¡°Should I alert the rest of the guards?¡±

    ¡°No, why would you. They can''t do anything you can''t already do on your own.¡±

    ¡°As you wish¡± You are always so thoughtful your Majesty.

    ¡°Get in some casual clothes. I don''t want a bunch of people all around me. The peasants always want to talk. It''s so annoying¡±

    The sound of armor behind the door drew his attention.

    ¡°Your highness, were you expecting someone?¡± William looked at the door and stood blade in hand.

    ¡°No, if it''s someone I don''t know kill them¡±.

    William manifested behind the people at the door. They pushed open the door and could seem her. The Queen of Harvon, her divine holiness, Kinarith.

    ¡°Kinarith, it''s been a long time¡± Said a woman.

    Her golden armor told of Lord hood. The engravings told of battles she had never seen. Wars she had certainly never known. What looked like phantom blades were a split hair away from their throats. William stood ready to kill them.

    ¡°Who are you? I probably don''t remember¡± Kinarith looked at the dresses she liked.

    William held steady ready to kill the uninvited guests.

    ¡°Lord Han, I command the naval forces¡± Kinarith hummed for a moment attempting to remember who this person was.

    ¡°I don''t remember. Anything you''ve done that might help me remember you?¡±

    ¡°I destroyed the Prexian naval fleet¡±

    ¡°Not bringing back any memories¡±

    ¡°Should I kill them?¡± For you my Queen I would slay the gods. The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

    ¡°Maybe, so maybe you''ve done something more important. Or something interesting?¡± Her face became a light shade of red.

    ¡°I fell off a table when I was drunk at the last festival¡­¡±

    ¡°That was you! You knocked yourself out! Yeah don''t kill them. Hey want a drink!¡± Kinarith began laughing.

    ¡°Your Majesty¡± Said William.

    ¡°What?¡± Said the Queen.

    ¡°I do believe they came here to tell you something¡±

    ¡°So, do you have anything to say?¡± Asked the Queen

    ¡°We have word that the two travelers. They, well, they stole a warship.¡±

    ¡°What? How do two people steal a war ship!?¡±

    ¡°There actually was a total of eight¡±

    ¡°I don''t care, that was my boat! If you don''t have it back in my shipyard by the end of this lunar cycle I''ll make you Nie''s personal servant!¡± Her sweet melody of a voice sang.

    ¡°Your Majesty, if you feel they are not capable I can retrieve the warship for you¡±

    ¡°Perhaps, I think¡­¡±

    ¡°Your Majesty that filthy thing can''t do half of what I can.¡± Cold hands wrapped around her throat. A vice made of ice had wrapped itself around her.

    ¡°If you ever interrupt the Queen again I will pull you into the Gray.¡± William had his eyes locked on them.

    ¡°Tell your pet to stand down¡± Said the woman.

    ¡°No, he''s doing his job. Anyway, I''ll make it a competition. Starting tomorrow. Whoever captures the group of idiots wins something very special¡±

    ¡°Of course your highness¡± Said William and the women.

    They exchanged angry glances. William knew no hate in his heart. Only displeasure for those who did not show the proper respect to his beloved god.

    ¡°Nie, get dressed you idiot I have places to be¡± Kinarith took her time looking at what she called casual clothes. Nie removed his armor piece by piece and looked at the clothes Kinarith had chosen for him.

    ¡°Just change right here, I don¡¯t have time to wait for you¡± I can''t change here! But I must, this is embarrassing! What will she think of me! I''m so out of shape. I haven''t worked out all day!

    ¡°Of course¡± Said William as he began to remove his shirt.

    Kinarith admired her soldier as he removed his armor.

    She¡¯s looking at me!

    His face was calm and lacking of expression. William picked up the outfit and slipped it on.

    ¡°Let''s go¡± Said Kinarith.

    Her once ashy gray hair was now a char black. She had even placed dark lenses over her eyes. A tool usually reserved for those who are visually impaired. They walked to the hidden exits at the back of the castle.

    ¡°This is going to be amazing!¡± Kinarith patted her outfit.

    What little of it there was. But this was the usual dress of the Noah.

    ¡°Come on, you''re overdressed, take that shirt off¡± Said Kinarith.

    She want me to undress¡­ does her kindness know no limits. She is willing to insure I don''t go off and look like a fool! Oh your Majesty, you are too kind.

    William removed his shirt and neatly folded it. They opened the door and walked through the dark backstreets. They could hear the tens of thousands cheering for the beginning of the celebration. They stepped out and could see the oceans of people. Each in the casual wear. Each holding a piece of grass to honor the God Eater.

    ¡°His honor!¡± Yelled a woman atop a stage. One of the member of the Blood Forge held an Elder blade. It was cradled in a cage of gold.

    ¡°The Elder blade¡± Kinarith got in the fetal position and kissed the ground.

    ¡°His eternal Majesty¡± William clasped his hand over his heart and kneeled.

    He knew he was not worthy. A cold wind was birthed from the blade as they opened its prison.

    ¡°He who is eternal!¡± Screamed the woman.

    Hundreds began to link arms. A golden mist seeped from the blade. His will danced through air like falling stars. It danced over the tens of thousands exacting its absolute power. The light began to form over head.

    William looked up at the might of god. It began to flow out into the clouds. His might would reach those who needed it most. They closed its cage and waited till the year to come to open it once more. One of the few blades that had yet to choose a master.

    Nalo had been the last person to wield the might of the sun blade. Her skill with the blade had become legendary. William stood guard as the Queen enjoyed this night. His eyes fixed on the trail.

    Maybe one day I''ll see what they meant. Maybe I just have to get stronger.

    He watched as Kinarith danced and ate. When the time came he carried her home.

    ¡°Did you enjoy the night?¡± Asked William.

    ¡°You¡¯re kinda cute when you don''t talk¡± Said Kinarith.

    ¡°Thank you your Majesty¡± but you drank too much to know right from wrong.

    ¡°You should kiss me¡± She looked at his eyes.

    Eyes that belonged to a young god.

    ¡°I''m sorry your Majesty but I can''t. It would be wrong of me to do so.¡± She looked into his eyes and commanded him.

    ¡°Put me down¡± Said Kinarith.

    William felt his body weaken and bend to her will.

    ¡°Kiss me William¡±

    Please your Majesty. I can''t do this to you. I can¡¯t, please, I don''t want to defile your flawless form.

 Calypso: Chapter 3.2 William

    Please your Majesty. I can''t do this to you. I can¡¯t, please, I don''t want to defile your flawless form.

    ¡°Wait, just kiss me tomorrow when I''m all cleaned up. It would be a waste to take your preki this way¡± Perfect! If I leave before she wakes I won''t disrespect her Majesty.

    ¡°And I want that kiss¡± Said Kinarith.

    William knew he had no choice. But the one thing he could do is wait. He walked out to the training grounds and picked up his great sword. He held the blade and began his prayer. He clasped his sword and when he finished his thanks he stood.

    As his blade flowed through the air it left a trail of shadows. Dark replicas of where his body once stood. He stepped away from his echo leaving a space between them. They began the dance. Their blades clashed with every motion. They continued the dance till the sun came to end the song.

    ¡°See you tomorrow¡± Said William.

    They bowed as the sun cleansed him from this world. William walked back to see the Queen. He brushed his teeth and washed himself. He knocked on her door knowing full well that she was a sleep.

    He heard her shift in bed ¡°Come in¡±.

    William was caught off guard. She had almost never been awake this early in the day. William walked it to see her sittin up in bed with messy hair. She looked like a mess. Her dark gray gown loosely fitting her.

    ¡°So,¡± Said Kinarith with crossed arms ¡°you''re gonna give me that kiss. I don''t want anyone else to take it.¡±

    William walked to her bed and did his very best not to pass out.

    ¡°William, kiss m...¡± He stole the final word from her lips.

    She punched him as she turned away trying to hide her smile

    ¡°Don''t come back till you have them¡± William bowed and walked to the door.

    ¡°I mean it¡± He walked to the vast walls that God himself praised for their grandeur.

    With his very will strengthened the walls. The walls were pure black. Passed their great walls lay a far colder world. During her two hundred years as Queen she had done quite a good job at keeping the wars out of the city.

    William looked down at the dead land. The bones of the Corjon. A breed of monster made of magic and a second material unknown to the Empire.

    William jumped falling hundreds of feet landing on the bones of his enemies. He smiled recalling the thrill of the fight. His entire battalion were torn limb from limb. Their screams filled his ears as he slaughtered his pray.

    William started running at a moderate pace and headed to Jewel Harbor. Hours passed as he ran and the sun began to reach its prime. He slowed as he reached the forest. The trees standing above the clouds. He knew the beasts that dwelled within. He hoped to encounter one strong enough to give him a thrill. William walked now hoping he would encounter something worth his time. The jagged branches held razer thorns ready to cut apart any creature. After his second day of walking he began to notice a lack of life.

    A world shaking bello rampaged through the woods. William felt his body tense as his mind recalled the beast. His people overwhelmed by the Masters of the woodlands. Gallows, a offspring of magic and the blood of Gods.

    William clasped his blade and made a mad dash to face it. He had grown strong sense then. He knew he could do it. He could slay the fallen God. He reached a clearing and could see miles in every direction. The beasts he feared so lay strewn about like grass in a barn. One seemed to still be living. Half its body had been eaten by flames. It looked up at William.

    ¡°Kill me¡± William was in absolute terror.

    He knew of them. They were relentless killing machines. They would never back down. They would fight anything to their dying breath. But never before had they spoken. Never once had legend or myth ever told of them knowing a spoken tongue.

    ¡°Please¡± Spoke the unholy unity between flesh and nature. William knew if he wanted to find out what had done this he would need it alive.

    ¡°What did this¡± William didn''t expect his voice to be filled with so much fear.

    ¡°It was here. And it hates us.¡± William picked up the Gallow and walked over the mutilated corpses of its kind.

    Something with enough power to do this in its own was among the likes of the old Gods.

    William walked feeling more feat as the Gallow began to cry. How could a creature like a Gallow cry. It was unbefitting of its kind. William sent the day walking and the night fearing that the monster to beasts would find him.

    Days passed before he reached the harbor. He still carried the Gallow. Hundreds of soldiers froze as they saw this killing machine upon his back.

    He found his way to the naval command. Several generals were nowhere to be found.

    ¡°You there, I am Nie, right hand of her majesty. I have been sent here to investigate and capture the situation with the missing war ship.¡±

    The woman looked over at William, ¡°Who do you think you are talking to me¡­¡±

    She notice what he had tried to his back. ¡°Right¡­ let me show you where the ship was¡±

    William follows her to the shipyard and looked around.

    ¡°Bring me every guard that was on duty the day of the incident. I need to know exactly what they saw¡± she nodded and eventually the twenty guards had arrived.

    ¡°Tell me everything you saw or heard that night.¡± Hours passed as he collected every detail that they had.

    ¡°Thank you, now each or you will battle me to the death¡± they froze and looked at William with fear. The ten men and women seemed not to believe what he had said.

    ¡°Hurry up and draw your blades. Because of your failure the queen has lost a War ship. You are not worth the food it takes to feed you. Now with haist draw your blades and fight me¡± They seemed to not believe him.

    William connected with the shadows and manifested behind them. He rammed a blade through two of the guards. They screamed and struggled as he twisted his blade.

    ¡°You had your chance to die with honor¡± he was able to decapitate them before they could get it their blades.

    ¡°Get me a small ship, I''m going after them. And keep in mind that you will be held responsible for your lack of supervision¡± William was looking dead into the eyes of the commander.

    She nodded and ran to find a boat. William looked at the Gallow and notice it looked vaguely more Noah like.

    ¡°So, what attacked?¡± Asked William.

    It seemed afraid of the question. ¡°To your kind it is nothing. To my own it is ash. Speak the name of death and you shall in brace it.¡±

    ¡°Stop speaking in riddles¡± Said William. He almost had enough.

    ¡°Your ship is ready¡± Said the commander.

    William picked up the Gallow and walked into the boat. The crew within seemed to know what they were doing.

    William never like ships. He sat down prayed then did his best to fall asleep. When he woke he could hear screaming.

    ¡°Pirates!¡± Yelled the crew.

    William rolled his eyes and walked to the deck. A ship about five time larger than his own was closing in on them. William lifted his blade and what looked like electricity began to dance around his body. A bolt of lightning scorched the ship and cut the mast in half.

    ¡°Keep going,¡± Said William. ¡°Idiots¡± he walked back to his bed, prayed, trained, ate and woke at dawn. He walk to the deck and smiled at the land mass.

    ¡°Do, do you have water?¡± Asked the Gallow.

    ¡°Even if I did why would I give you any?¡± Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.

    ¡°Maybe because you won''t find out that did that to my people if you don''t¡±

    ¡°Maybe my interest in what did that has died out. Maybe,¡± William grabbed the face of the creature slightly squeezing its light pink lips making them pucker. ¡°I would prefer to sell you to someone that has a fancy for monsters¡±

    ¡°You want to know what it looked like?¡± Asked the thing.

    ¡°Fine, it''s a good place to start¡±

    ¡°It was shaped like me¡± Said the thing.

    ¡°So a woman did this?¡± William began to think of the people he knew that could do this. Far too many came to mind.

    ¡°It had a blade, one I suspect to be that of her highest Majesty¡± William took a knee and gave a short prayer to honor her name.

    ¡°Do you recall anything else. If it is her blade it could mean war¡±

    ¡°Only one way to find out. Once you do whatever you are doing, find my people. This is not the first time it has attacked. And if the stories are true it won''t be the last¡±

    ¡°When did your kind learn to speak?¡±

    ¡°Well, when we would attack and kill your cities we picked up on the noise you made and eventually we learned it to improve how quickly we could kill you. When your people would yell orders we would listen.¡±

    ¡°It''s strange, I never expected your kind to be capable of speech.¡±

    ¡°I never thought your kind would be able to keep your mouths shut, your people never stop talking.¡±

    ¡°I bet you would make good firewood¡±

    ¡°You wouldn''t even be good fertilizer¡±

    ¡°Termites wouldn''t eat you if they were starving¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m afraid of you but only because I''m afraid of your diseases!¡±

    ¡°I should have left you to die!¡±

    ¡°It would have been more enjoyable than being around you!¡± William turned and walked away from it.

    He took a stand at the front of the ship ¡°Stupid tree¡±

    ¡°I can hear you!¡± ¡°Stupid tree!¡±

    William inhaled deeply and cursed under his breath. He needed that thing to tell him everything. If something truly had one of the elder blades it was his duty to rative it.

    ¡°So can I get some water?¡± Yelled the thing.

    ¡°Fine! Just shut up already¡± William took a flask form one of the sailors and walked over to the thing.

    ¡°Here¡± Said William handing the thing the flask.

    ¡°Thanks¡± She spit out the liquid the moment it entered her mouth.

    ¡°What! I gave you want you wanted didn''t I¡±

    ¡°That was not water!¡±

    ¡°Well that''s too bad, that''s all you get¡± William waited until they docked.

    He picked his captive up and walked to the town. He walked passed the hundreds of people that reeked of fish.

    Passed the massive fish on hooks. He walked to the closest training post and sat the Gallow on the table. ¡°What would you give me for this thing?¡±

    ¡°I''m not a thing¡± Yelled the Gallow.

    ¡°What exactly do you mean¡± Asked the woman running the shop.

    ¡°This,¡± Said William smacking the head of the Gallow. ¡°What can I get for it¡±

    ¡°Women can''t be sold to slavery¡±

    ¡°But it''s not a woman¡­¡± William wanted to yell but he was too well mannered to yell at the well educated.

    ¡°Yes I am,¡± Said the Gallow with a smirk. ¡°And my husband here no longer wants me because of my injury¡± It began to cry.

    ¡°How dare you!¡± Yelled the shop owner.

    ¡°Because of you this woman is crying. Guards!¡± Yelled the woman.

    The guards walked up behind William and asked the thing what happened.

    ¡°My husband¡­¡±

    ¡°I''m not her husband!¡± Said William with anger in his tone.

    ¡°Silence! Tell us, what did he do¡±

    ¡°Because I got injured, he, he doesn''t want to be with me anymore¡± She wiped her tears away.

    ¡°You monster¡± Said the shopkeeper.

    After a few minutes of getting yelled at they stopped.

    ¡°Now tell her you will never leave her or disobey her as long as you live, in the name of the God Eater, and she who is above.¡± The high priestess had arrived to bind them.

    ¡°I will never leave her or disobey her as long as you are here.¡±

    ¡°Say it right!¡± He did his best not to kill them all.

    ¡°I will never leave you or disobey you as long as you live¡±

    ¡°With meaning¡± Said the priestess.

    He took a deep breath and looked into her eyes. ¡°I will never leave you or disobey you as long as you live. I will love you, fight for you and live to make you happy¡± William felt sick to his stomach.

    ¡°You do love me!¡± Said the thing hugging him.

    ¡°Thank you all for setting my husband right¡± Said the thing.

    ¡°My love,¡± They all seemed to think it was the cutest thing ever ¡°can you take me for a walk¡±

    William knew he had to comply. If her didn''t, they would inform Kinarith of his actions. Even if they were lying.

    ¡°Of course¡± Said William.

    He cradled her and walked as if carrying his dearly beloved.

    ¡°Take me to see the forest¡± Said the thing. William knew he had to obey. They walked out together and out of view.

    ¡°So what exactly do you want?¡± Asked William.

    ¡°First things first, you are going to treat me like you would treat your Queen. If you don''t, I''ll tell everyone you were abusing me.¡±

    ¡°You''re smarter than you look. But not smart enough.¡± William lounged forward and she caught the blade. William pushed her through a tree. William took a deep breath and created echos.

    ¡°Stop, stop it! You''re hurting me!¡± Yelled the thing William cover her mouth and could feel her smile. He moved his hands and looked into her eyes.

    ¡°You are going to respect me. Do that again and you will regret it. Now, as an apology, help me come up with a name¡±

    William wanted to run but knew she would be able to find him.

    ¡°Fine¡± He felt like he was being violated. To his people the act of giving a name was one of the most intimate actions anyone could do.

    ¡°And don''t try and make any stupid names, but keep in mind that if I don''t like the name you give me, I will say you tried to violate my name¡±

    ¡°Fine,¡± William looked into his memories and found what he was looking for.

    ¡°Nirith¡±

    ¡°I know that title¡± Said the thing.

    ¡°How¡± William did expect anyone to know it. ¡°She attempted to find peace between my people and your kind.¡±

    ¡°What else do you know about her?¡± William was curious as to how much she knew about his people.

    ¡°Your kind killed her for this. For attempting to bring peace.¡±

    ¡°She was my grandmother.¡± William placed his blade back where it belonged.

    ¡°This is goodbye¡± William took a step away.

    ¡°Don''t you dare think you can be free that easily. You''re going to help me find and kill whatever did that to my people¡± Said the thing.

    ¡°So what title will you chose?¡± Said William.

    ¡°Kora¡±

    ¡°I''m still gonna leave you alone¡± William had this as his true intention.

    ¡°Need I remind you that if you leave me here. I''ll start yelling¡±

    ¡°I hate you¡± William picked it up and walked away.

    ¡°So, where you from¡± Said Kora.

    ¡°That doesn''t matter. If I''m going to take you with me you are going to do a few things for me¡±

    ¡°I am not dealing with any of your special needs¡± Kora had a strange expression on her face.

    How did she know I have special needs. Maybe it doesn''t know I need an hour to pray everyday.

    ¡°What are you talking about?¡± Asked William.

    ¡°I know your kind has your special alone time¡± Kora crossed her arms as she spoke.

    It''s too late¡­ well, might as well ask it if it would like to pray with me.

    ¡°Kora, might I ask you to do something?¡±

    ¡°Maybe, what you want?¡±

    ¡°Would you care to join me during my special alone time?¡±

    ¡°Wow, um, I''m not into that kind of stuff.¡±

    ¡°That''s fine.¡± Said William.

    ¡°So who are you looking for exactly?¡±

    ¡°Eight people, they stole a war ship¡± William had to keep in mind that he could not come home.

    Her words were his law.

    ¡°Just wondering but have you ever seen one of the grand divines?¡± William placed his hands together and gave a short prayer.

    ¡°Yes, I saw one during a grand council¡±

    ¡°What are they like?¡±

    ¡°Terrifying, I spoke out of term and Elizium nearly killed me. She broke my arms and legs. To top it off she didn''t even touch me.¡±

    ¡°How long did it take you to recover.¡±

    ¡°About a month¡± William had Kora like a backpack.

    ¡°Yes!¡± Said Kora with joy.

    ¡°What is it?¡± Asked William.

    ¡°My legs are growing back, I can see a little stub¡± Kora looked closely and smiled at the tiny nub of a leaf.

    William looked at a small creek and felt a bit of hunger. He placed his hand in the creek and killed everything in the water. The fish floated to the surface and he picked them out of the water.

    ¡°Do you eat?¡±

    ¡°No, I take energy from the sun, and occasionally I absorb minerals from water.¡±

    William looked up and could see a messenger wasp flying to him. It landed and had a note.

    ¡°William, be a dear and wipe out the town of Sorkren. They haven''t paid taxes in there years. I forgot about it but I remembered this morning. So kill everyone but the kids. I will have people their tomorrow to replace the dead. Best of luck. Feel free to use cleansing light¡± William set Kora down and looked at the town.

    Hallowed be his name, eternal be his will. Forgive me for the sins of my ways.

    ¡°Where are you going?¡± Asked Kora.

    ¡°Nowhere, I''m going to pray for forgiveness¡± William prayed till night came again.

    Kora sat in water and did as plants do. When night finally came he stood. William walked into the town and found a good place to start. William looked at the women that stood within the tavern.

    ¡°What do you want¡± Said one guard.

    ¡°Come on, leave him alone he hasn''t done anything wrong¡±

    ¡°You right¡± William incinerated everyone in the tavern and walked to the next location.

    William knocked in the door of the home of the captain of the guard and waited. The door opened and she looked at William. The blade in her chest burned her flesh. William walked in and could see her family.

    ¡°Who are you?¡± Asked her husband. His head fell off his shoulders and hit the floor.

    His children screamed as William walked away. A guard charged at William. William clasped his hand around the guard''s throat and ripped his head off. William walked through the town until only the cries of children could be heard.

 The Noah: Land Fall

    A strong jult flung him against the side if the wagon particularly hard leaving him almost less conscious than when he was sleeping. The headache didn''t help but was masked by the new pain.

    Creed felt the heat crawl over his body once he woke, it also could have been fire ants but he hope for the ladder.

    He welcomed the slight bit of moisture his own blood had brought to his mouth.

    He felt like he had been eating glue and sand. His cracked lips parted slowly as he attempted to keep any other cuts from forming.

    He looked for his bag, his eyes burning slightly from the dryness. He found the half full bottle and slowly raised it to his lips. He paused panicking for a moment before remembering the water was still capped.

    He unscrewed the bottle and let a few drops wet his mouth enough to speak.

    He looked at the mountain of blankets he had been using to keep warm the passed week and a half.

    He now missed the bone braking cold, he had been wondered when he would see the sun again.

    He looked at the warped world outside. The heat waves made the barren landscape dance making the land look as if the land was covered by pillars of stone.

    He sat up an paused for a moment. The stone spikes poked up everywhere he''s eyes could see. He looked to the front and looked at the woman that was sitting in the sun.

    She was giving a little dance and he could just barely hear her singing.

    He looked back out and touched the glass window making sure it was their. He felt his hand shoot back away from the heat that bit him. The rest of the workers were still sleeping, probably.

    He looked closely at a few of their cracked mouths and could see the bubbles of spit moving just enough to let him know they still had to suffer like him.

    He hobbled his way to the front of the wagon pulled by camels. He knocked on the wood near the front where she sat.

    ¡°Hey.¡± She turned with a wide smile.

    ¡°Where?¡± He looked around just a bit hoping he didn''t have to use many more words.

    ¡°Almost there, you sleep alright. Need some water? I got lots if you need it.¡± Her sharp green eyes almost seemed to shine. Her chocolate skin seemed to take the energy of the sun instead of being drained by it. Her hair was likely dark brown some time ago but the sun had undoubtedly bleached it to its pale white.

    He shook his head and placed his hand in the sun before retracting it.

    ¡°How?¡±

    ¡°Oh, I get ya. Well I grew up here, well in the Deep Black to be exact but it''s kinda like here. I''ve been through Summers and all this is nothing. Lucky you get to be here during winter. The sun is actually pretty calm today. Don''t you think?¡±

    He wondered how he had been here so long without feeling the ungodly heat. He pointed up slightly and felt his throat almost stick to itself as he tried to speak.

    ¡°Oh I get ya. The storm, it was blocking out the sun for the first few days. Thing is clouds just kinda die out here. We left them about mid day so its about six right now.¡±

    Creed took another sip of his drink and mustered the power to speak.

    ¡°Been here before?¡± He felt dread as she started laughing.

    People began waking slowly looking at what could have been the source of the noise.

    ¡°No, but don¡¯t be scared. Deep Black is on the North. Deep north, way past the valleys. This,¡± she looked up with a smile. ¡°Might as well be a vacation.¡±

    Creed was at odds in his minds. As far as the academy had told them nothing but wildlife was out their. Tens of billions of years of evolution made sure that anything that wasn''t from the north, especially the deep north had no chance of survival.

    ¡°We''re about to hit a rough patch so take a seat and make sure you don¡¯t bump your head.¡± She had a little smirk. He tried his best to walk back as the ride became exponentially worse.

    Creed looked out the window and moved away just a bit but tried to keep his eyes on what looked like a bear. Its legs were far to long almost like it was on stilts, it blended into the background far to well let him feel uncomfortable. It would have been invisible if it hadn''t been walking.

    It began following the wagons and the wagon began to slow. A spear moved so fast he hadn''t seen it till the extremely lanky bear like creature had it between its eyes.

    ¡°Ha.¡± he heard it come from her.

    He could only imagine what kind of a throwing arm she had.

    The wagon kept moving picking up speed again and rocking harder than before.

    He looked back to see that parts of the bear creature were missing. Something had already taken three of the four legs and most of its face.

    Creed closed his eyes after placing some more water in his mouth. Sleep was easy somehow, he wondered if it was the onset of heat stroke but didn¡¯t think he would get so lucky.

    When his eyes opened he looked around just to make sure he was still in the wagon and hadn''t been dragged of by any of the things that lived in the area.

    White trees stood as far as his eyes could see. He stood and walked to the front of the wagon. If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

    The woman was standing over the bodies of the camels. She looked like a mechanic trying to find what was wrong with the latest automobile she had to fix.

    He looked at his bottle and took a full sip, he covered himself before stepping out into the sun.

    ¡°What''s wrong?¡± he looked at the camels but couldn''t tell if they were dead or not, except for the ones in the front, those were in pieces.

    ¡°I think the sun got¡¯em. Except the one in the front those got their throats all messed up before I could kill the buggers.¡± She kicked the one camels closest to her lightly and shrugged.

    She looked around and gave a nod as if this was somehow a good place to stop.

    ¡°Everyone up!¡± She yelled and walked to the front of the row of camels.

    About six creatures lay on the floor along the camels. The things that lay on floor were shaped like dogs, the plated skin told him they were no dogs.

    One of their mouths was hanging wide open in an almost perfectly straight line, four teeth sat at the front of its maw. The four front teeth were at least five inches.

    As he walked closer he could see that there were gaps between the plates of their so called skin. The small gaps of each of the creatures had a spear in them. Two spears were stuck in the ground snapped in half.

    ¡°They chewed through but they should be dead sooner of later. Nothing here is gonna go easy on them because they¡¯re injured.¡± People began walking out of the wagons one by one. They looked around and seemed to be looking for something more just like he had been.

    ¡°Our rides are dead. Stop standing there and get to setting up the tents before you all end up like the cames.¡± Everyone began moving slowly and she kept her eye out for any scavengers.

    The group of about forty people began setting up the large white tents.

    She walked to the wagon in the far back. It was the only metal one. Creed wondered if the wagon had the food or water. She moved the massive bolt and slowly pulled open the door.

    Creed felt his stomach acid get squeezed up his throat as his body tensed.

    The first black paw fell out of the cage and claimed the land where it stood. The second foot claimed the life around it. The beast instantly sat next to the guide. It seemed wary of her, she patted its head and it body seemed to relax.

    She swirled her hand in a circle it walked away from her. It began to sprint, its body moved like a blur.

    The sound of crunching bones began to fill the air as it vanished between the innumerable trees. The pitter patter of feet seemed to come from all around them but they saw nothing.

    The beast she had in the cage made a massive circle around the area they were in. It made its way back after a few short moments. Only its paws and jaws had blood.

    Everyone had their eyes in it. That thing was undoubtedly from the deep north. It made the things outhere look harmless sheep. Creed had a memory drift into his mind.

    Back when the Academy believed they could taim this land. They even attempted to snuff out the local wildlife with foreign ones. Lions by the ship full had been placed on this land in an attempt to out compete the wildlife. They found nothing of them, not even bones.

    ¡°You can all stop looking at Dardar now.¡±

    Everyone tried to pretend they weren¡¯t terrified of the abomination she had as a pet.

    Creed pulled the tent out of one of the wagons. She had her eyes locked on the trees. She seemed to be wary of them. She walked towards him. Creed felt like he had done something wrong.

    She stopped suddenly and kept her eyes on the trees. Creed looked at the rest of the workers and looked back at the tent. He grabbed the zipper with his shirt and pulled. He could feel the heat through the shirt. Slowly but surely they had the tents up.

    ¡°I got it!¡± Yelled the guide.

    She had a smile on her face as if she had found a good reason to be here.

    ¡°They died of altitude sickness.¡± Creed wondered for a moment and realized this explained his headaches.

    Creed walked over to one of the trees. He stood in it''s shade, he rested his head against the tree and felt his heart skip a beat.

    Creed began touching every part of the tree he could and almost couldn''t help but smile.

    ¡°It''s cold,¡± he whispered to himself ¡°actually cold.¡±

    He grabbed his water that was seemingly moments from boiling. He took a big sip and looked over at the guide.

    ¡°It''s cold.¡±

    She began walking over seemingly not trusting of his words. Creed smiled at her and stepped back when she walked up to his tree. She pressed her hand against the tree and her mouth dropped slightly.

    ¡°What?¡±

    She touched more of the tree and paused of a second. She walked to the side that sat in the sun.

    She pressed her hand against it and pulled out what looked like a knife. The knife looked like a hole had been made in the fabric of reality. The blade seemed to simply have light fall into it and vanish. She slammed the knife into the tree and paused as the deafening ping shot through their ears.

    The blade and the tree collided and at that moment Creed knew what happened when an unstoppable force meet an immovable object.

    ¡°What!¡± She seemed to be angry at the tree. ¡°You have no idea what this means do you? Sleeping man you will understand soon.¡±

    She looked closely where the blade had hit the tree, her eyes held a devine scrutiny he thought was once held by the eyes of God and God alone. She reached into her pocket revealing what he knew was a stainless steel knife. She dragged her black knife over the steel blade and it looked no harder than cutting butter.

    ¡°See sleeping man, do you understand now?¡± She whistled and her monster ran over.

    She tapped the tree and it placed it mouth on it. The monster moved its mouth across the tree trying to fund a soft part of the tree. Its fur sent a wave from its head to its tail, its black fur seemingly vibrating as it did so.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry Dardar.¡± She patted it fur as it slunk away seemingly saddened by its failure.

    ¡°What is up with the trees?¡± Creed wanted to know if he could be happy or worried about what he discovered.

    ¡°This knife is made of the horn of a Rozen Skurge. The only time they ever break is when they fight bigger Rozen¡¯s. This tree is just as hard as far as I can tell. Not to mention its not attached to a monster that can wipe out towns. Sleeping man you are very observant. I would have left these trees alone and left in the morning if you hadn''t started touching them.¡±

    ¡°My names Creed by the way. Sorry I didn''t introduce myself sooner,¡± Creed paused to and took another sip of water. ¡°what''s your name if you don''t mind me asking.¡±

    ¡°You''re funny Sleeping man you can call me Bado.¡± Creed nodded and sat in the shade.

    Bado walked over to the camels and waved her hand. Her monster bounded over in an instant. It opened it''s massive maw and placed his mouth just passed the first hump before clamping down and making half of the camel vanish.

    Everyone was looking at Dardar again. Creed watched Bado wave her hand once more. Dardar stood on his hind legs and unraveled what he once thought was paws. What looked like clawed hands unraveled, Dardar walked over to the camels at the front of the line and dragged them back.

    Creed wondered for a moment before concluding this beast was the reason they had stories of werewolves in his homeland.

    Bado left her beast to eat the dead

    ¡°Sleeping man, here, now.¡± Creed walked over and hoped to the high heavens she wasn''t about feed him to the monster.

    ¡°Yes?¡±

    She drew her knife without a word. She turned the hilt towards him.

    ¡°Here, keep it. Also write a letter to the Archive telling them what we found. Also tell them we''re setting up permanent residence. Name this place something cool will you, we are gonna have a lot of work collecting this stuff.¡±

 The Arks: chaper one Theo

    The sharper the blade the faster it dulls

    Repair is destruction in disguise

    <h4>Theo</h4>

    Why am I even competing, I know I''m the best, these idiots can''t even come close.

    ¡°Here''s your card. Make sure not to lose it or you can''t compete.¡± Theo walked away leaving the enormous line.

    Theo walked passed hundreds with every step. The images that were projected into the sky told him that a total of fifty million other ten year olds were going to be accessed to determine if they were worthy. He rolled his eyes knowing that this was a waste of time. Last year only three kids passed the tests and they were sent back a week later. He looked at his card and shrugged. ¡°194,579¡± he spoke the number to himself.

    ¡°Theo! Their you are. Where were you.¡±

    ¡°I was waiting for my card mother.¡±

    ¡°We''ll come on I want to take a picture before you go. I know how hard you''ve worked and¡­¡± she began to tear up. ¡°I''m sorry I''m just so proud of you.¡± He rolled his eyes and hugged his mother. His head reaching just a tad above her hips. They walked into an area just large enough for the picture she wanted. She knelt down besides him and took the picture. She wiped the tears from her face and pulled him in for another hug.

    ¡°My baby! You''ll write me and visit right?¡±

    ¡°Yes mother.¡± Theo walked with his mother to the area.

    His mother walked off to find her seat. Theo could see that they were getting started. He walked to his designated area and looked at the fifteen other kids that stood around the table.

    ¡°This device generates a random string of numbers it''s your job to find as many of these numbers as possible once I say go and the box blinks red. You will have thirty seconds, to write, stop when I say stop.¡±

    Theo began to recite the spring of numbers that had yet to come.

    ¡°Ready, set, go¡± the box blinked a red light.

    Theo looked on as the others furiously wrote down the numbers and he looked over at the moderator who looked disappointed in him.

    Theo wrote down ¡°194579¡± then placed his pencil down.

    Once the pencil was completely in his pocket the man said "Stop¡±.

    ¡°Alright, I will now read the sequence¡± the man looked at the other children who each had about half a page of neatly written.

    The sequence appeared on the scream and they began to check their work.

    ¡°Is something wrong with the machine?¡± Asked a boy in a white robe after a few seconds.

    ¡°Yeah, why isn''t the rest of the numbers showing?¡±

    Theo rolled his eyes and said ¡°194579¡± he held out his paper and waited.

    ¡°Because you aren''t smart enough to understand, let me just tell you. I had the stupid machine malfunction and stop after it played this sequence.¡±

    They looked at him just beginning to grasp what kind of child he was. They all knew it deep down. He was a well know prodigy after all. Some said the best to have ever been born on their planet.

    ¡°Anyway let''s get a move on I don''t have all day.¡±

    They never stood a chance. He had removed the future they had chosen and instilled his own.

    He still needed to wait for everyone else to finish so the next round could begin. In a minute and no more they began to move those who had lost moved out.

    He could see his mother had payed for a drone to watch him as he competed.

    Theo walked the small distance to the next event. They stood in a circle and looked at the small device in the center of the ring.

    ¡°An object will be teleported here at random. It''s your job to make the object you have been assigned arrive.¡± Theo looked at the paper he had at his given location.

    Everyone had one where they stood.

    ¡°Knife¡± Theo shrugged and looked at the others.

    Theo looked at the device and clapped. Everyone looked over at him and the machine turned on. A knife fell and he walked over with the paper.

    ¡°I''m done¡± The man nodded and the other children were guided out.

    Eventually he effortlessly defeated everyone in his path. He watched a second drone fly over to watch him. This one had a box hanging underneath it. It made its way down and had the words.

    ¡°Love you baby. With warmth Moma.¡± On the side of the box.

    He grabbed it knowing she would not stop till he did.

    ¡°Thanks.¡± he opened the box and ate the food held within.

    After the fifteenth round he arrived to the final battle. Hundreds of drones were floating around him and the girl.  She knew she didn''t really stand a chance but she was more than capable of joining the next level.

    ¡°Hey, if you win can you make me your prodoshay?¡± She seemed to be very serious.

    ¡°Why would I do that?¡± Theo looked up and found himself distracted by the sound of the drones. She kept her eyes locked on his.

    ¡°I know I don''t stand a chance but I still have a shot at joining the Archive if I become your prodoshay.¡±

    ¡°Fine but if you don''t make it you come back here with a few messages for my mother.¡± Theo looked up at the drones.

    She grabbed the sword they would be using to fight one another. They were ready to see what he was capable of. All but one drone fell out of the sky. They hit the ground sending dust into the air. He began walking forward.

    ¡°Just to make things clear. Once I become The Lord in not making you my second.¡±

    He knew from a physical standpoint she would have no problem overwhelming him. But that never really mattered.

    ¡°Come on.¡± She shattered the ground with her first step.

    She closed the distance between them sending a spiral of dust up behind her. She swung the iron rod at his chest hoping beyond hope she could win.

    Theo looked at the rod and rolled his eyes. It shattered like glass and became nothing more than powder. The blade reformed once it was passed the point of where it would have hit him.

    She took a moment to understand what had just happened. Theo kicked her chest causing her diaphragm to convulse.

    She collapsed struggling to adjust herself. Just before she blacked out he kicked her again and she began to breathe normally.

    ¡°Theo, you are the winner.¡± Spoke the game master.

    ¡°I know that.¡± Theo looked down at her and closed his eyes.

    ¡°They will arrive tomorrow and pick you up.¡± spoke the man.

    Theo could see the man was overwhelmed by what he had watched.

    ¡°I''m gonna home. Get your things ready for tomorrow and bring something to write on.¡± Theo walked all the way back to the entrance where thousands stood.

    Theo walked passed everyone and made his way home. He didn''t want to take part in the celebration.

    The clay building and stone roads he walk on we''re his home. The massive steel building he left behind surrounded the arena.

    ¡°Mom, I''m home.¡± They had agreed to meet at home after the event.

    He reached down and grabbed a handful or rocks. He walked over to a tree and snapped a branch off. He walked over to his home and place the stick facing up near the door. He reached into his pocket and the card in his left hand.

    He opened the door to his home and tossed the rock at a large glass bulb that hung from the ceiling.

    He then ran into his home dashing for the kitchen. Three grown men and two women ran after him. He reached the kitchen and reached under the table.

    A hand fulls of knives now lay in his grasp. He tossed a knife and heard a body drop.

    Guns began to tear apart his kitchen. He had hidden behind the iron pots and pans. He grabbed the steel wire he had in a drawer and tied it to a knife.

    He tossed the knife back and heard it crunch through a skull. He listened closely and could hear one of them attempting to sneak up on him. He waited and just as they were about to turn the corner he tossed another knife. Removing the fingers of the attacker. He tossed another knife landing it between their eyes. He pulled on the wire whipping it at the man with a knife in his head. He twirled it around around the gun and pulled it over. He placed the gun in a cabinet and placed the knife in the trigger.

    He move to the other side of the large table and pulled. They began shooting on that area alone and he dashed for the window. He smashed through landing outside. Glass had found a place in his arm. Shards like teeth filled his left arm.

    He looked up and heard them running for the front door. He tossed another knife and hit one of them in the foot sending them falling into the stick. It gashed open his throat and ended him.

    The last woman shot at Theo removing his right hand. Theo grimaced and tossed another knife hitting her shoulder. She shot his elbow knocking his arm off. She shot his legs and he knew he was all out of tricks.

    ¡°Not so tough now are you.¡± His entire neighborhood was gone at the arena and the after party. She placed the gun to his head and pulled the trigger. He was back at his door.

    ¡°Disappointing, if I can''t do this on my first try I won''t ever make it to Lord class.¡± Theo punched a window and grabbed the glass.

    He walked in and tossed every piece of glass at them. Each piece embedded themselves into their throats. He also made sure a piece hit each of their eyes. They fired aimlessly into the air desperately attempting to land a single hit. A few seconds later they were still.

    Theo walked over and looked at them. He began kicking in their skulls. The heel of his foot was caked in blood and brain matter after the second impact. He repeated the process and sat down. A few moments later he was outside again. He inhaled and got ready for round three. Attempt after attempt he continued to fight and kill them. After a few million times it finally stopped.

    He stood at the door. Everyone inside was dead. He could see his mother walking up the street with bags full of toys and gifts. She made her way over and looked at the house. The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

    ¡°What you doing out here?¡± Her dark hair swung down by her knees.

    ¡°Well, some people tried to kill me¡­¡± his mother yelled ¡°Are you okay!¡±

    Dropping her bags. She hugged him and began checking his face and arms for scratches.

    ¡°You must have been so scared.¡± She began crying as she hugged him.

    ¡°Mom, I''m fine. I''ll just call the guard and tell them what happened.¡± She nodded and they walked to find a guard.

    The guard stood at the corner of the street. Theo walked over and told the guard what happened.

    ¡°I''ll contact command and have a few others join me their in a few minutes. Thank you for reporting this crime.¡±

    Theo walked with his mother and found a beautiful restaurant where he would have her be treated to a fine meal. The workers gave a slight bow as they walked by him.

    The owner walked out from the kitchen and had a smile on his face.

    ¡°Theo! Welcome, I hope you come back to visit once you become a Priest.¡± Theo stood and looked at Neris.

    His eyes held a monstrous glare unlike anything that the man had ever seen.

    ¡°What did you just say?¡±

    The man took a step back and lifted his hands. ¡°I mean no disrespect.¡±

    Theo had a wicked glare and his mother spoke. ¡°Theo, sit.¡±

    He took his seat and his mother gave a lovely smile.

    ¡°He''s going to be the next Lord.¡± His mother smiled.

    ¡°So sorry I didn''t mean anything by it.¡± Theo looked at his mother and she spoke.

    ¡°We''ll be sharing a large plate of Booboo roots with water please.¡± He nodded and walked off.

    ¡°Theo, I know this is going to be hard but I''ve been making something for you. I knew from the day you were born that you would be something special. I knew one day you would have to leave me. But I want you to know you will always be my special boy.¡±

    He knew she had been writing five letters every day so he would never be alone. She knew from the start that he was different. No one on the planet even came close to his level of power. He felt it.

    ¡°So today I''m going to spend every second I can with you.¡± The food arrived and she handed the man a large sum of their currency.

    They ate and he wondered if he would be allowed to ask. They finished the root like meal and walked out.

    ¡°So, where do you want to go?¡±

    ¡°I want to go to the willow.¡± Theo kept his plain expression.

    She smiled and grabbed his hand. ¡°Let''s go!¡± She ran with him and they arrived at a wagon.

    ¡°Hey, mind taking us to the willow?¡± Asked his mother to the lady.

    She nodded and they hopped on. The wagon was pulled along by the large reptile and they eventually they reached the woods.

    ¡°Thanks.¡± She tossed the woman a few small silver spheres and they walked off.

    The trees reached miles into the sky. The clouds passed through their branches brushing the leafs with new air.

    Theo followed his mother and they walked all the way to the willow. The tree sat in the middle of a lake. It was the oldest thing on their planet. Like most other world''s trees were born on the world just as life was.

    ¡°Hey, remember the story about the Ria Lord.¡± Tho looked at his mother knowing full well she was aware that he knew.

    ¡°Yes.¡± Theo replied.

    She placed her hand on his head and pulled him into a hug.

    ¡°Before our world came to be our Lords watched over everything within their care. One day a war war against the primordials began. And out of all the Lord within the High council only one a Ria Lord was able to find a way to kill the primordials and keep them dead with the help of other Arks. And this is where the first primordial fell. Primordial after primordial fell as they made a new path for the Arks.¡±

    His mother had a smile on her face as she spoke. He knew that that was a story older than the star they had in the sky.

    He knew it was extremely well documented. The events of the war had entire library''s worth of information. Theo looked at the tree and decided to take a nap.

    He found a spot in the grassy woods and rolled himself into a ball. His mother lifted his head and place it on her lap. He woke in the twilight of dusk and looked at his mother.

    ¡°Come on.¡± She picked him up and walked back the the edge of the forest.

    ¡°Mom,¡±

    ¡°Yes my little baby?¡±

    ¡°I''ll miss you.¡± They arrive home after an hour and she walked into their home.

    A few guards still passed by every now and then.

    She sat him in his bed and took a place beside him. She kissed his head and hugged him. She held him as he slept knowing this may be the last time she would ever see her baby. She didn''t was to cry because he might feel bad about leaving.

    She couldn''t sleep knowing that''s meant she would have less time to look at him before he left. She watched as the sun spilled light into the room and she got up to cook him their last meal. She made a loaf of bread and mashed roots with strips of meat.

    He walked over and she smiled. ¡°I made breakfast.¡±

    He walked over and gave her a hug. She held him tight and smiled at her baby. He sat down and ate with his mother.

    ¡°Maybe I''ll be able to send you letters.¡± Theo knew that wasn''t likely but that wasn''t a problem. They looked at the clock and knew they only had a few hours.

    Theo walked to the door and open the door before one of the six men could knock.

    ¡°You must be Theo.¡± said a man.

    ¡°And you''re Timothy. Just say what matters and stop wasting my time.¡±

    ¡°The child of Keeper Orion is now your prodoshay. It''s in your best interest to make sure you she gets in to the Archive.¡± Said Orien.

    ¡°I will do as I please. If you ever think about telling me what I can or can''t do I''ll drop you and your entire organization. Watch your next words carefully because if you anger me I''ll kill you all here and now. But there''s a way to get into my good graces. Have guards make sure nothing bad ever happens to my mother. If she sends me a letter and tells me so much as a scratch has been made on her I''ll come back a d kill all of you.¡±

    ¡°Ahem¡± his mother cleared her throat.

    ¡°Fine, hurt all of you.¡± Theo reworded his decoration.

    ¡°Come on, leave the poor men alone and let''s play some games.¡± Theo walked away and continued to enjoy the five hours he had left with his mother.

    ¡°Come here.¡± She had her arms wide open. His mother was rather tall but was small compared to his father. He sat down in his mother''s lap and held him tightly for a few seconds.

    ¡°Sorry I''m so clingy. I just don''t know what I''m going to do without you.¡± He knew she had done everything in her power to raise him.

    ¡°You can take over the business or travel around the world. I''ll be sending you a portion of my check once I get into the Archive.¡± Theo felt her hands ruffle his hair.

    ¡°I want to give you something.¡± His mother pulled the her necklace off over her head and placed it on him.

    ¡°I made this when I was your age.¡± Theo held the emblem in the necklace up. He inspected it closely and recognize it. It was the symbol for the Archive before they became a minor ark. Back in the time when they were masters of knowledge.

    ¡°Thanks.¡± They walked and when the time came to go they stood.

    ¡°It''s time.¡± his mother grabbed his things and a extra large backpack. They walked outside and walked to their strider. The large lizard like creature with six legs sat sleeping in the backyard.

    His mother patted its head and it looked up with all six of its slits for eyes.

    ¡°Come on.¡± His mother sat atop the lizard. Theo sat down as well.

    It dashed along the road as his mother pulled it''s leash one way then the other.

    They arrived and had full view of the massive spacecraft. He could see the guards standing at the entrance to the ship. The girl was standing, surrounded by guards. She was alone.

    His mother gave him all his bags and kissed his head.

    ¡°Be back soon but not too soon okay?¡± His mother was holding his hands.

    He hugged his mother goodbye and walked to the ship alongside her. Theo greeted her and took his place.

    ¡°My name is Talia by the way.¡±

    ¡°Theo.¡± He kept his eyes on the ship. They walked on and one of the guards placed their things in containment.

    Theo looked back one last time and waved at his mother. He took his seat and the ship was sealed. The engine hissed and they were off. Theo looked around as the first ten minutes passed as they left the atmosphere.

    Once in space they could see something strange form around the ship. A second later they felt a quick jolt and they began to descend on another world.

    Theo had heard about what they had seen but had never imagined something like this. He couldn''t see the horizon. It was lost in the distance somewhere between the mountains and trees.

    They slowly descended across the planet and landed in what looked like a world of its own. They landed and could see legions of other ships. Theo got out of his seat and could feel heavier as the ship landed. It stopped and they watched the door open.

    Theo could see millions of other children from other worlds all here to give their best to join the Archive.

    Theo noticed the difference in the air.  It was cleaner than his home world. Theo looked closely at others wondering what environments they could have come from. Some ships had acid burn, others had the talons of beasts embedded in them. Some of the children had suits of armor and others were dressed in strange garbs.

    Theo walked down and walked alongside Talia.

    ¡°Wow.¡± She looked around and wondered if they would be competing against all these people.

    ¡°Talia, this isn''t a competition. None of these people have the potential to beat me.¡±

    ¡°You''re stuck up you know that.¡± She crossed her arms and kept her place just a little ahead of him.

    They all walked and took their place in the massive coliseum. Theo tried to find the seams between the bricks but soon found it to be one seamless stone.

    An Archive Priest stood at the center of the arena. Theo looked at her and wondered just how powerful a priest could be. Lords could destroy gods with a whisper of a thought. But what could a priest do?

    ¡°Hello.¡± Her voice was calm. He heard it as a whisper that came from all round him. Others were looking around trying to find where the voice came from but he knew exactly where she was.

    ¡°You will all be fighting for a spot in the next level of the ark. One of you will join the next level.¡± She looked over at him.

    Theo stood ¡°Are you sure about that?¡±

    She had vanished from the distant place and stood a few feet away. She was tall, covered head to toe in a armor that pretended to be robes.

    She would have been at least a full tree feet taller than his mother. ¡°Repeat yourself so all can hear.¡±

    They both knew what was about to happen. She knew as well as him that it was inevitable.

    ¡°Are you sure about that.¡± Theo whispered. He knew everyone heard him.

    ¡°Come with me.¡± She began walking up the stairs.

    ¡°I''ll be taking my prodoshay.¡±

    She looked back and said ¡°Fine with me.¡±

    Everyone was looking in their direction. Theo walked with Taolia at his side. He followed her and suddenly stopped. He took just a moment to realize they were where else.

    ¡°I have to say that was rather interesting.¡± Theo looked around the halls.

    ¡°It''s a trick you should be learning soon enough. It''s a lot less complicated that it seems once you understand how to it works. But more importantly you''re moving on. You were able to see where I really was and that''s not an easy task for someone like you.¡± She spoke.

    ¡°What''s is that supposed to mean?¡± Theo knew she didn''t mean that he was of a slightly different order but it almost seemed to mean so.

    ¡°You don''t have a Ark form. You''re still made of flesh and blood. I''m not.¡± Theo had never known this.

    He had never come across any information that even hinted to it.

    ¡°Then what are you?¡±

    ¡°Imagine a living star, but hotter.¡± Her tone shifted as she said hotter. ¡°Actually it''s as if you took the cooled heart of a dwarf star and made it into a living thing with all the regular living parts. Now imagine you packed an entire galaxy into a body my size. That''s basically what I am.¡±

    Theo began to place this idea in his mind. Letting all he knew build a model as to how this worked.

    ¡°By the way, you''re moving to the next level of the Ark. One of the kids out there will have a shot at becoming a Ria Priest. But because you were able to find my actual location almost instantly you get to skip right to the final stage.¡±

    Theo looked back at Talia. They followed her till they reached a white room.

    ¡°Step in there. I''ll be sending you somewhere.¡±

    Theo walked in and felt like he was heavier a split second later. Someone about the size of his mother stood at the door. She had what looked like casual clothing and didn''t have the proper uniform for any rank within the Archive.

    ¡°Hello,¡± she was more heavy set that the previous person. ¡°Come on, I''ll show you around while everything gets started.¡±

    Theo could see absolutely nothing from her. Usually there was some level of indication as to how powerful they were but she seemed no more powerful than the average child.

    ¡°They told me they had a few promising candidates this year but my money''s on you. Oh my!¡± She stopped spun around on her heel and chimed with glee ¡°My friends call me Aster.¡±

    ¡°Why aren''t you dressed in a proper Archive uniform? Do you have any respect for the Archive?¡± Theo glared at this woman.

    ¡°Well I just thought my outfit looked nice and I just got it as a gift so¡­¡± she began looking at her feet.

    ¡°What if someone gave you the banner for the Ark of Life on a shirt. Would you wear it? Would you prance around in chains if it was gifted to you? Show some respect. You''re a member of the Archive.¡± Theo kept his eyes on her.

    ¡°I''m sorry. Can I make it up to you two. Maybe show you around?¡± She had a full hearted smile. Theo looked away.

    ¡°You can talk to her and decided whether or not we go.¡±

    Talia looked over and smiled ¡°We,¡± she said glaring at Theo ¡°would love to.¡±

    She seemed all to joyful as she said ¡°You''re going to love this.¡±

    Theo took a breath and looked at her. ¡°Stop using it like that. Love means something. It''s not just a word you throw around at anything.¡±

    ¡°So you''re not completely heartless.¡± Talia smiled at him as he looked back at her with annoyance.

    ¡°I have somewhere really cool we can go. Come on.¡± She jogged and they followed.

    Theo looked around admiring the art. If the Archive was known for anything beyond their vast knowledge it was their love of the arts.

    They followed her and she arrived at a large door. The door had the mark of the Lords. She looked around and opened the door. They walked inside and could see something few had the honor to view.

    ¡°Cool right?¡± Theo took a moment to view the physical embodiment of transcendence. Theo looked at the art and weapons that were placed on the walls.

    He looked up at the Lord, standing proud in her portrait. She was the most powerful Lord in the history of the Archive.

    The armor she had was gifted to her by the Ethereals. Their craftsmanship had been refined through the entirety of their history.

    She was the only living person he could call his superior.