《A God's War》


 Chapter one (The Man in The Shadows)

    ¡°A god¡¯s war¡±


    Chapter One (The man who walks in the Shadows)


    The morning day is always the same as it is in a small town near the ocean; people go about their business while the younger ones prepare for school. Throughout the years this place has been quiet and simple as if it is separate from the city it is in.


    Mayumi holds her book while walking a narrow road towards the school located at the hill top. The town has a fair amount of cabs but Mayumi prefers to walk for she believes that he might run into man whom she had saw years before. A classroom half filled with students can be seen at the gate and from the window Mayumi¡¯s friend Elise waves to greet her.


    Elise had been her friend since first year high school, even though she was not a childhood friend they still share a deep bond that grew stronger after some certain events. She opened the door and entered the room as always then Elise sat behind her.


    ¡°Hey! You seemed a little late today, why?


    ¡°Well you do know that I have to make sure that our apartment building is being renovated right?¡±


    ¡°That old place? Why not just sell it and move into your relatives? These days are not safe and I¡¯m a bit worried that you stay there alone with those guys renting the upper place.¡±


    ¡°That apartment is the only inheritance that my mom and dad left and besides, I spent my childhood there.¡±


    ¡°Ok ok¡­ But in any case if something is wrong give me a call ok?¡±


    ¡°You just want a reason so you can come over.¡±


    7 o¡¯clock in the morning but their teacher hasn¡¯t still entered the room but instead the school principal accompanied by two police officers came in his place. They haven¡¯t start talking yet but it is clear something is not right. The students began to murmur and their whispering voices filled the room.


    ¡°Ok class. I¡¯m sure you haven¡¯t heard yet but Mr. Leonise won¡¯t be coming and it is with a deep heart that I must tell you that his body was found near the woods. The announcement cause the students focus their eyes on the old man. Startled by the news their whispering became even louder and it¡¯s obvious they want to know how their homeroom teacher got killed and for what reason. The town maybe small but almost everyone knows each other and such crime never once happened before. Their curiosity immediately turned to fear and the principal knows that they must say something before the students start to panic. The two officers who were with the principal stepped forward and the taller one at the left began to speak.


    ¡°We still have no idea how and who killed Mr. Leonise but first of all everyone needs to calm down. We need every students to cooperate with us in the coming days, it is important that we first know who was with him before he was killed and before any of think about it we do not see you as suspects cause the crime that have been committed on you teacher can¡¯t be done by just students.¡±


    The class silenced for a while but fear still hovers above them. Mayumi was speechless while Elise still covers her mouth with both of her hands. Mr. Leonise was very well known not just in their class but throughout the school. He has a cool demeanor and he enjoys spending time with the students especially on P.E. No one knows who could have done it but all the students told the same story to the cops who questioned them. The day before Mr. Leonise died he was doing what he always does. In the morning he will go to the faculty lounge and prepare some coffee before heading to class, he always wears a warm smile even though at some times he is strict. A man who is age is younger than all of the other teachers yet still remains single. After the class ends he would go to the principal first before going home and even after he is out of the school he stilldoes his everyday ritual of buying some snacks in a nearby convenient store. His house is not that big yet not small and just like Mayumi he prefers to walk home but after he said goodbye that day the entire school would not have believed the news until it made the city¡¯s news headline.


    The principal sat behind his desk still shocked from the news even though it¡¯s been days since the officers brought in the tragic surprise. He looked outside his window which is overseeing the vast waters of the sea. Deep in his thoughts he still can¡¯t cope with what happened. He asked the officers about the details and instead of talking to him they presented a full written report about the killed teacher. Mr. Leonise¡¯s body was found hanging on a tree branch without some of his limbs. His head was crushed and his abdomen has been torn open with the ribcage still missing same as the legs and right hand, the left arm was partially consumed and his blood painted the grass red. The police still have no suspects but the possibility of robbery was ruled out for everything he has the day prior to his death was not missing and he has no quarrel with anyone due to his habit of going straight home after work. There were similar cases before but it was on a very far off city and the last murder there was committed a day after the crime but the similarities are there. The body of the victim before Mr. Leonise was mutilated and some parts were missing and the oddest thing was that the investigators found a huge hole near the vicinity that resembles a crater made by fallen meteorites and the trees around the crater were sliced clean off without any traces of even a single chip. The cut was very amazing like as if it was sliced all the way then fine sanded to make the surface glimmer but that was the last thing that they saw after the killing. They fear that it might have been done by a number of people and they have chosen the town as their next hunting spot. The local town government announced a state of emergency and does not allow anyone to break the curfew without any permission or any valid reason. The principal stroked the back of his head knowing that every day will become difficult for the students and their quiet small town is now at unrest.


    Mayumi walks with Elise but not today, Elise has some errands that she needs to do so Mayumi packed her books and headed out of school. The curfew starts at 7:30 pm and the girl reaches her home at around 6:14but she decided to buy some stuff before going home. She took the same route everyday but a warm breeze blew behind her neck which was unusual since it¡¯s that time of day there the air is cold. She looked around and found nothing so she kept on walking. There should be a small alley at the left but what she found instead was a dead end and to her right was a small trail leading to what it looked like was a small narrow road similar to what route she takes everyday.


    Mayumi hesitated at first but decided to go anyway yet still she knows that none of it was normal. As Mayumi is about to reach the narrow road she heard the trees rustle and there was a light thump on the ground like something just made a short jump. The surrounding is too silent and neither birds nor insects seemed to have been making any noise. There is a breathing sound coming closer but Mayumi is frozen in fear, the shadow of a huge hand hovers over her, she can see that the shadow has claws and no matter how much she wants to run her legs won¡¯t move an inch, her eyes were covered with tears and she feels the impending demise that is about to fall onto her, all she did is to close her eyes shut and prayed for it to end quick.


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    A strong gust of wind surrounded Mayumi and to her surprise her body moved from its place. Mayumi opened her eyes and saw that she was being held in a princess cradle where the arms belongs to a man who for some reason seemed familiar.


    His golden yellow eyes glowed in the dark but it is noticeable that he has bloody red retinas; the blue hair sways with the wind and covers the man¡¯s forehead. The strong pair of arms gently place Mayumi down but no words were uttered for her.


    Mayumi looked in front of her and there it was.


    The creature was 8 feet tall and has no eyes but there was a diamond mark on its head, the upper abdomen was that of a human but the lower body was a snake and the hands has sharp claws. The creature opened its mouth and began to speak.


    ¡°You.. Why did you take my food..? How dare you enter my domain without permission!!¡±


    The man has cold gaze and Mayumi hid behind him. He has a strong build even though his long black coat covers even his shoes. the hands wear leather gloves and on his right shoulder was a small strip of golden chains. Without turning his head he let out a deep calming voice for Mayumi.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I won¡¯t let that worm harm you so stay back a little.¡±


    Mayumi felt reassured with what he said and hid behind a tree. The man walked two steps towards the creature and it is then that Mayumi knew that even the young man is not normal by any means.


    ¡°You dare disturb the balance of life and death?You mock the souls by destroying their earthly bodies. A worm like you should never exist here or anywhere.¡±


    ¡°You Blabber like you can even kill me! You look like them so you must be like them! I will eat and dine on them and you little man will never stop me.¡±


    ¡°Then let us see if you can prove me wrong. So then my weak friend, shall you take a little taste of me? They say that I¡¯m to DIE for..¡±


    ¡°THEN I¡¯LL EAT YOU UP AND HAVE THAT GIRL FOR DESSERT!!¡±


    The monster raised its claws and took a full swing at the young man. He easily dodge the attack then the monster used its tail to try and capture his legs but it was like the black coated man already knew about its plan of attack and strike after strike the monster never managed to land a single hit.


    ¡°QUIT MOVING AROUND!! FIGHT ME LIKE A MAN!!¡±


    ¡°Like a man? How I wish I can but I have no time to mingle around so I¡¯ll end this now.¡±


    He raised his right hand just below his shoulder level and on the earth a pentagram appeared and glows, from the middle of the circle a chained stave seemed to emerge upwards until it reached his hand. He grabbed the now spear length stave and pulled it out to reveal a chained scythe. The weapon was connected to the earth by the chains and yet it still moved freely as if the bind was never there. Mayumi¡¯s eyes grew wider with what she saw; a weapon appeared from the earth and is now being wielded by her savior.


    ¡°THAT WEAPON! YOU CAN¡¯T BE?! TELL ME WHO YOU ARE!!¡±


    ¡°The dead has no need to know my name. And by dead I mean you¡±


    ¡°NO! IT WILL NOT END HERE!! I¡¯LL KILL YOU!!¡±


    The monster released a full barrage of attacks but no matter how fast he attacks his claws won¡¯t hit him. The young man casually walked closer to its prey closing the gap and in this moment the creature who felt confident about his strength now fears for what is to come. With a full single swing of the blade the seemingly endless attack stopped and black blood poured onto the soil, its body was sliced in half just a little below the abdomen along with the trees behind the monster. He looked at his dying prey with cold gaze. The corpse started to melt and Mayumi walked towards him.


    ¡°Uhm.. Thank you for saving me but who are you and where are we? This place is not familiar.¡±


    ¡°Oh my.. Forgive me but I need you to come with me.¡±


    ¡°What? Come with you where?!¡±


    Before Mayumi can finish her words the man placed his hand on her head which in a strange way made Mayumi lose consciousness, as she was falling the man captured her before she hit the ground but behind them was another presence.


    ¡°I figured you¡¯ll come. So why does an ancient beast does hangs around this girl? What is your purpose, little Chimera?¡±


    The chimera is an ancient animal who has a lion¡¯s head and a goat head behind itsback with a snake for a tail but the one that appeared before them has a different feature yet still possesses some of the original characteristics, the head of the goat was not there but instead it¡¯s face is more longer than a lion¡¯s, it has horns and golden coat but the tip of the tail is hidden with long fur so it¡¯s hard to determine it a snake¡¯s head is there.


    ¡°Why are you here? And what do you want from this girl?¡±


    The young man asked the beast like as if it will speak but instead it opened its jaws and attack with a black wave, he blocked it with his right hand but it exploded covering the entire area with pitch black darkness. He opened his eyes and found that the girl was gone and the chimera as well. He felt no danger for the girl and the beast was clearly there to protect her from him and the monster but it still baffles him why an ancient beast would protect a girl. In a short while he felt a pain deep in his head and images popped up but he knows nothing about them and yet he does recall a beautiful young woman who told him about the future and what must be done in order to save what is left of this world. The surroundings started to vanish at the young man was standing in the middle of the woods close to a small town. From a far a concealed presence was watching as the young man vanishes into the shadows.


    ¡°Well wel lwell..You who is hated, you who walk a different path, you whose name only a few knows but feared by everyone who lives. You who wish to find a desire for your own. It¡¯s been a while, Thanatos. I finally found you and now the game of damnation will begin. Your time is almost up Zeus, just what will you do now that you have went too far with your cruel selfishness? How I am eager to see how this tale of yours will end.¡±


    End of chapter one.

 A Gods War Chapter two (Memories

    Chapter two (Memories)


    The rain pours down on the earth making the forest damp and empty. Thunder breaks the silence and lightning reveals what is hidden in the dark. Three souls run for dear lives, shouting, praying that anyone would hear but in a domain created by unearthly creatures only they can hear their cries.


    Maria ran along with two little girls in each arm. She staggers while enduring a deep wound on her side. She no longer wishes to be saved for what she wants now is the salvation of the two young children in her arms. They hid in an old warehouse behind a forest. She tries so hard to catch her breath, but her wound makes it hard to breathe. Maria looked at the two unconscious girls, one of them is her own daughter while the other is someone that they found hiding in a bush. She can¡¯t remember how they got into a forest when they were supposed to be entering a park. After being sent to this godforsaken place, a huge ax hit her side sending them both flying to the shrubs. Her daughter lost consciousness due to the impact, but she realized that she was wounded. Whatever had attacked them must be closing in so with all her strength, Maria picked up her daughter and ran as far as possible. They took a sharp turn to avoid a chasm and on their way she heard a girl crying. The wound was very painful, but she still tried to find where the crying was coming from. She was, a young girl no older than her child was covering her eyes crying and calling for her mother. Maria came close to the child and tried to calm her down.


    ¡°Hey..Where is your mommy? Are you lost?¡±


    ¡°Mommy said to wait for her in the park but when I looked behind, all I can see are trees.¡±


    ¡°You know it¡¯s not safe here. Why don¡¯t we find your mom?¡±


    ¡°Mommy said not to talk to strangers when she is not around.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯m your friend so let¡¯s go and find Mommy.¡±


    ¡°O-ok..¡±


    The little girl reached for Maria¡¯s hand, but a big impact sent them flying again. She tried to keep conscious and get the girls but when she held her head high, there was a huge monster staring down at them.


    A Minotaur is a beast known to the Greeks as the child of King Mino¡¯s wife. A cursed beast that was born from the unholy union of a human and a bull, it is also known as the guardian of the maze that kills anyone who gets lost in its territory.


    Maria wanted to scream, but her mind was set on keeping the girls alive, so she got up and grabbed the two unconscious girls. The monster let out a roar while chasing them down. She could feel not only her strength but also her life fading away as they run. Now she is certain that if she gets caught it is not only her life that will disappear but also the young lives of the children she is carrying. The rocky terrain made it hard to run, but the rain started to go down and the mud stuck to her feet added some weight to her already heavy load. She saw a roof from a distance and darted towards it hoping, there are people who will help them. They entered the huge warehouse, but all they found were big crates, she went behind the boxes and slumped down keeping herself from making any noise. It is clear that no one will help them, but she is desperate to save the girls.


    The tall gate of the warehouse crashed open and the Minotaur looked around. Not being able to find anything it started to go berserk destroying any nearby crates. Maria is terrified as the monster gets closer, so she made a one last desperate attempt to save the girls. Maria hid the children under a pile of boxes. She plans to distract the Minotaur and lure it away from the girls but before going out, she kissed her daughter one last time hugging her so dearly while saying sorry.


    Before the Minotaur can smash another set of crates, Maria shouted and revealed herself. The monster gave chase but as Maria turns her body went numb. She lost too much blood and she no longer has the strength to even stand, but it did not keep her from trying to get the demented beast away from the children. She closed her eyes and wishes that her body will satisfy the hunger of the beast but all of a sudden she heard a cry, it was her daughter calling for her.


    ¡°Mama! Where are you, Mama?¡±


    ¡°No don¡¯t come here!¡±


    The girl looked at her and found that her mother was lying on the ground bloodied and pale. She did not even pay any attention to the monster and ran toward her dying mother. The Minotaur took an interest in the young child and headed toward her. Maria desperately called the monster to keep it away from her child but it was no use and with one last try she screamed to the heavens for help.


    The entire warehouse turned silent even though the rain kept pouring down, the Minotaur halted and seemed to have noticed something. Maria was surprised that the bloodthirsty beast would stop and look behind. Black smoke appeared from all the corners of the warehouse and even the crying of a child can¡¯t be heard. The world lost its color and Maria noticed an image with a pair of glowing eyes appearing from the shadows.


    It was another nonhuman being, but its size is only comparable to a person yet its appearance looks less human. The creature has wings, a tail and wears a red mask that covers half of its face but the lower part of the head that is not covered easily reveals that its head is a skull. The armor is bloody red. Shoulder guards were shaped like human skulls and the body armor that protects the torso is clearly a nonhuman skull. It walked as it opens and closes the clawed hands. Tapping sounds can be heard while it steps closer and its tail sways from left to right synchronizing the body¡¯s movement.


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    Maria is fearful because now a new predator had appeared and in her mind it might also want to devour them alive. She summoned all her power and tried to crawl toward her daughter, but the Minotaur prepared to attack not the smaller creature but the child who is trying to get to her mother.


    The mighty ax came crushing down on the child and a thick amount of dust flew into the air blinding Maria. She saw the attack and even if she tries to deny it, nothing can come out alive from such destruction. She cried calling her child¡¯s name but to her surprise the girl whom she thought was dead is crying.


    The Minotaur is still trying to put more weight into its weapon, but the armored creature was stopping the giant ax while keeping it away from the girl under it. Maria has no words for what is happening. The creature that suddenly appeared seems to be protecting her daughter. It tried to lift its ax once again, but the armored monster held it in place. When the Minotaur tried to pull it away forcefully, the blade of the ax shattered like glass from the immense pressure of the armored monster¡¯s claws. With its ax broken, it attempted to grab hold of the girl but the Minotaur¡¯s head pointed upwards in an instant because the red armored monster attacked it with a powerful kick to the jaw. It lost its balance falling and missing Maria by only a meter. The beast stood up and charged towards the girl, but was immediately intercepted by the armored monster using a dark blast that blew it out from the warehouse.


    The battle continued under the heavy rain. The Minotaur is catching its breath while the armored monster stood at the gate. The silence continued for a short time but from the dark smoke that appeared with it the armored monster manifested a weapon that it now holds with both hands. The red scythe glimmered in the light reflecting the image of the Minotaur on its blade. With its last attack, the Minotaur charges forward once again. It will try to impale the armored monster with its long horns, but the armored monster countered the attack with lightning fast slashes that chopped the Minotaur into small pieces.


    The one-sided battle between two monsters has now ended. It looked over its shoulder and saw the little girl crying while holding her mother¡¯s hand. Maria still can¡¯t figure out what has just happened but calmly touched her daughter¡¯s face and told her not to cry anymore.


    ¡°It¡¯s ok now. Mama is just going to sleep, but we will be together again I promise.¡±


    ¡°Mama! Let¡¯s go home. Mama don¡¯t sleep here. Let¡¯s sleep in our bed mama!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. But mama is the only one who will be sleeping. Can you promise mama something?¡±


    ¡°Y-yes..¡±


    ¡°Always be happy. And no matter what, be a good girl ok?¡±


    ¡°I-I promise mama. So let¡¯s go home!¡±


    Maria felt cold, but something still kept her from succumbing to the darkness. She looked to her left and she saw the armored monster staring at them. It is not showing any signs of hostility. If it wanted it could have killed all of them along with the Minotaur but instead it protected her daughter and even if it didn¡¯t make any sense she talked to it.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know what you are but if you have no plans of killing us then please, take the girls somewhere safe and in exchange you can have my body.¡±


    The armored monster kept quiet, but it showed its sign of agreement by nodding its head once. It came close to the mother and child then kneeled down facing the crying little girl. It held its claws on top of the little girl¡¯s head and everything went black.


    The little girl opened her eyes and saw another child lying beside her in an ambulance. She could hear people shouting and there were flashing red and blue lights where a man and a couple of police officers were talking.


    ¡°What happened here?¡±


    ¡°I have no idea, sir. When we got here, me and my wife saw them lying in the middle of the road. Maybe they got hit by a vehicle or something.¡±


    ¡°Well from the looks of it, you¡¯re maybe right due to the bruises and wounds that the woman has. I¡¯m just thankful that the two girls survived.¡±


    The little girl stood up and took a peek out of the van and she saw the body of her mother lying on the road.


    Mayumi woke up from her deep slumber and found herself on a bench on top of their apartment building. She wiped her face with her hands and noticed that her eyes were wet. She was crying in her sleep again. Mayumi stood up and was baffled for the last thing that she remembers was that she was walking home after getting out of school. She heard some scratching behind the door and opened it to see what it was. Her pet puppy named Midoku greeted her with moaning noise, so she picked it up.


    ¡°Hey, there. How did you get all the way up here? Aren¡¯t you supposed to be waiting for me in the room?¡±


    She looked around thinking what her dream was but decided to think no more of it before going down the stairs.


    Thanatos manifested from a cloud of smoke and appeared in front of Mayumi¡¯s apartment building. He had stared at the window before the lights went out. The god who had wandered the world for so long now decided to stay in one place to determine whether the girl that he had saved is the one that will help him with his mission.


    End of chapter two.

 A Gods War Chapter Three

    CHAPTER THREE (Brother)


    Strong and cold winds, dancing waves on the vast open sea and sounds of seagulls following a lonely ship. The coffee only gave a small taste of bitterness while the bread reduces the sweetness on the tongue; he sat at a table near the open deck of the vessel. A young man with jet black hair that points in an upward fashion and he wears a black outfit with long sleeves hiding his arms. As his blue eyes scan the horizon a memory came back unexpectedly. A heavy downpour of the rain drenches the bloodied soil of a battlefield from where he kneeled down surrounded by the headless bodies of his three sisters, while on a mount of mangled corpses stood his twin brother with his reddish yellow eyes glowing in the darkness of the storm. Confused rather than enraged he could not comprehend what had happened.


    ¡°Why?! Why have you murdered your own?! Were you displeased by reality?! Answer me Thanatos!!¡±


    The fearsome god held in his right hand a blade that took countless lives while he grabbed the head of a king in his left hand. The god who once never involves himself into the matters of the world now has unleashed a fragment of his power bringing death to both mortals and immortals. A feeling that he had feared to have now grips his heart as he saw the eyes of Hypnos.


    ¡°I do not have an answer that will convince you about the truth but I ask not for forgiveness but for understanding that there are things in this world which are far more important. In time you yourself will see why I must turn my back on everyone.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t understand unless you tell me! Is it about Cassandra¡¯s prophecy?! Or is it about your anger on Zeus?! Dear brother tell me. What made you turn into such a monster that devours even your own kin?¡±


    ¡°Never forget about his day Hypnos. We are not gods, we are just personifications created by the combined desire and weaknesses of the people that we now oppress. And tell Zeus that his tyranny will end soon.¡±


    Hypnos watches as Thanatos vanishes into the mist never to be seen again. Thanatos¡¯s treachery soon spread among the gods of Olympus and enraged the Father of all gods Zeus. Hypnos returned to his family in the river styx still baffled by his brothers words while their other remaining siblings mourn the deaths of the Keres Sisters.


    Many centuries have passed and Thanatos¡¯s words rang true, certain events almost wiped out the gods while those who survived blended in with the humans but Hypnos and the other gods who stayed together realized that Thanatos was the only god who believed the prophecy of Cassandra who they thought was nothing more than a crazy fool. Now they came together to prevent the prophecy and search for the one god who fought throughout time in order to keep the worlds existence.


    The docks were filled with noises from various vendors selling their products to tourist but Hypnos is not here for a sightseeing trip. He gained valuable information that his brother can be found in a small town nearby. Walking through the crowds he ponders about what could have been if they have believed the crazed woman, perhaps his own wife and children could have been saved and enjoying a nice trip with him today but it is all in the past now and he could not afford to be kept chained down and doing nothing after all he himself have declared to fight against Zeus right before he stormed off from the golden gates of the crumbling Olympus.


    The world was at war and hell itself laid waste upon the cities around Olympus. The people prayed for salvation but the gods did not respond for they themselves were at war among their fellow gods. Zeus and the other Olympian gods were being evicted by the other minor gods who believes that his tyranny brought destruction to the world.


    ¡°FOOLS!! I am Zeus the almighty god! You dare spit your nonsense on me?! Each and every one of you will be punished for your infidelity!¡±


    Hypnos ran up the mountain with great speed, he leapt over the gate and landed with a great punch that shook Olympus and made the gods fall on their knees. The gods were at awe upon seeing his strength but his eyes had tears of agony from losing something important. Nevertheless, his act made Zeus angrier.


    ¡°Hypnos! You, brother of the traitor! Now you are showing your true colors. Are you going to follow Thanatos and go against me?! You should know better that I am the king of the gods.¡±


    ¡°My brother was not a traitor. He did what must be done and you branded him as a monster among all gods. I now know the truth Zeus, this war is meant to happen because you threw off the balance of power in this world! You poisoned the minds of my sisters and used them to start a war between the empires who defied you! But thanks to Apollo¡¯s gift on Cassandra she was able to tell us about the impending doom even though only my brother was the one who listened to her.¡±


    ¡°She was nothing more than mindless human, her words means nothing!¡±


    ¡°Look around you Zeus! Hear the cries of your followers as they are being slaughtered by the crusaders! You are more concerned for your hold of power than to those who you should be saving! My brother was right, today is the day that you fall, Zeus.¡±


    ¡°You and your treachery will be the only ones to fall here!¡±


    Zeus mustered all his power to create a thunder storm that will incinerate Hypnos. Dark clouds formed around Olympus as Zeus let loose a barrage of lightning strikes on Hypnos, each and every hit caused an explosion that terrified the gods who were watching. Gods maybe deathless but they can feel pain and the spectacle was nothing more than brutal, thunder roared throughout the skies and Zeus felt no remorse when he handed down punishment on Hypnos. But as the smoke clears the god of sleep Hypnos was still standing proud and strong with only his robes torn and his armor broken aside form that no real injuries can be seen. Zeus cannot believe his eyes, the power that he used can bring even all the titans down on their knees but right in front of him is a god who was only known as a trickster but now revealed that he can stand his ground.


    ¡°You! How are you able to withstand my attack?!¡±


    ¡°Have you forgotten? I am Hypnos God of Sleep but I am also a death god who draws power from those who dies in their sleep. Just how many people do you think dies in their sleep everyday Zeus? You call yourself Father of the gods but all you do is feed on everyone and you decimate those who threaten your rule. All those who worship you are now being killed, so where will you take your strength from?¡±


    ¡°I will eradicate you! I am the most powerful god and I should stand on top! It is my birth right!¡±


    ¡°You never had the right! You and your father are the monsters here and not my brother. He may have killed my sisters but you killed all of us Zeus. My wife and my children are now gone but I¡¯ll never let this world die and just like my brother, I too will turn my back on all of you.¡±


    ¡°You treacherous bastard! I will lock you up in the deepest pits of the underworld!¡±


    As Zeus prepares for another attack Hypnos closed into him and landed a powerful punch on his abdomen that sent Zeus flying but it did not end there. He pursued Zeus as he was being blasted away; punches after punches, kicks after kicks Hypnos let loose a continuous chain of attacks that shocked not only the Olympians but Zeus himself. With one last hit he hammered Zeus straight down to the ground imbedding him deep on top of Olympus. Zeus opened his swollen right eye and saw Hypnos standing on top of him.


    ¡°This is the end Zeus. Thanatos tried to tell me once that from the very beginning humans never needed gods for it is us who needs them. But we abandoned them and treated them like animals that we can kill in order to feed our desires. We owe them our lives and now a future that will eliminate both them and us is coming so it is our duty to save what is left. Thanatos is out there somewhere fighting to keep that future from ever happening. Now I ask of you Zeus, what will you do? What will you choose? Cause in the end if we fail it will only mean our demise.¡±


    ¡°I-I w-will never yield to you or to anyone. I will show you that deserve to rule everyone!¡±


    ¡°Foolish god. It does not matter now. You can keep your rule if you can but as for me, I will find my brother and help him.¡±


    ¡°You and your brother will be damned and I will make sure that your cries will fill the entire underworld!¡±


    It was one of those moments that Hypnos hates. Remembering is one thing that he can¡¯t stop but it keeps him from forgetting what must be done. He travelled the world in search for Thanatos and now he is sure to find him but what he fears is that his brother may have forgotten the bond that they once shared.


    He heard a cry from a far; it was a young boy being chased into the alleys by two men. He followed them and after some left and right turn he managed to catch up. The boy is small and thin while the two men were bigger than Hypnos.


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    ¡°You got some guts kid! Why were you throwing bottles at us?!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry! But you scared me and I panicked! Please forgive me!¡±


    ¡°Forgive you? Look at my friend¡¯s forehead! He is bleeding.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry!¡±


    One of the men tried to hit the kid but was blocked by Hypnos. The two men were surprised by his sudden appearance but it did not stop them from questioning him.


    ¡°Who the hell are you? Are you related to this kid, punk?¡±


    ¡°Related? Sorry but I¡¯m not it¡¯s just that I can¡¯t stop myself from saving those who are about to get killed.¡±


    ¡°Get killed?! Are you accusing us?! Sure we hate that boy but we are just going to beat him up good and for your own good you should go away asshole!¡±


    ¡°You know, what I hate is when people believe that they are better than someone else but what I despise is when men call me names.¡±


    Before the two can react they were thrown out of the way. They stood up but were frozen in fear when Hypnos gazed upon them. They felt that if they even try to fight the only thing that they will get is a hefty hospital bill so they decided to forget about it and ran away. The young boy approached Hypnos who was looking at the fleeing men.


    ¡°Thank you so much for saving me.¡±


    ¡°What? Sorry but the ones I saved are those two so you can stop from pretending as an innocent child.¡±


    ¡°Well, that was disappointing.¡±


    The surrounding changed from an old alley into a wide open space. There were no walls around but the floor was made from white marble but in Hypnos mind it is without a doubt an open dimension created by something nonhuman. The boy shifted his step and behind sprouted a faceless monster whose body can be compared to a puppet.


    ¡°It¡¯s a surprise to see someone who didn¡¯t even got surprised by all this.¡±


    ¡°Well back in the day I often see this kind of things. But before you get broken into pieces tell me, what are you and where did you come from?¡±


    ¡°Ah.. curious are we? Very well, I¡¯ll tell you before I eat you. I am created as soul gatherer but I am not alone, there are others out there but for some reason our numbers dwindled but it does not matter cause our creator will send more.¡±


    ¡°Creator? Are you going to tell me who this Creator is?¡±


    ¡°I might so breathe you last!¡±


    The monster¡¯s attack was quick and fluidly balance, Hypnos jumps out of the way to evade the attacks but rather than being shaken by the monster he closely analyzes and even paying attention to the bladed arms of the beast.


    ¡°Stop jumping around! and let me eat!¡±


    ¡°Oh. Sorry about that but I can¡¯t help but wonder. Are you derived from human souls?¡±


    ¡°What?! I¡¯m not!¡±


    ¡°Well, if that¡¯s that case.¡±


    Hypnos stopped on his tracks and faced the monster. With both hands he punched the floor which created a violent wave that made a line of exploding earth. The Monster blocked the incoming chunks of marbles with its arms but after the largest piece of the marble floor hit him, it exploded and behind it was Hypnos delivering another punch that shattered its arms. The monster tried to fled but realized that Hypnos was in front of it already, now without any arms to block the incoming attack it knew in that instance that what it fought was not a human but one of those beings who once ruled the earth. Hypnos¡¯s roundhouse kick crashed through the monster¡¯s body shattering it like a brittle clay doll while the broken pieces got blown away by a strong gust of wind that accumulated behind his attack.


    Its body is now in pieces but yet head still move but not for long. Hypnos walked to it and asked something.


    ¡°Before you die, tell me who created you.¡±


    ¡°Hehehe. So it was not only them huh.? I thought that my creator and his kind only remains in that small realm.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°Y-you, you are like them are you? You are a god! But how are you able to stay in this world without any worshippers?!¡±


    ¡°Tell me who your creator is!¡±


    ¡°My C-creat-or is Ze-us.¡±


    With its last words Hypnos felt the rage that he was keeping for a long time. The name that he had never heard throughout the years was uttered to him and not by a human but by a monster.


    ¡°Zeus. Just how low did you fall? Was this the choice that you¡¯ve made? In that case, we will stop you.¡±


    Hypnos broke the dimension with his fist and he was returned to the old alley where he was in. He returned into the crowds, blending in and slowly follows the clues that will tell him the whereabouts of his brother.


    Saturday morning usually was the time when Mayumi does her laundries but today she was showing a new tenant into her apartment room. The woman was tall and beautiful almost like a goddess but she has a strange aura around her. Mayumi knows that the woman is foreign given that her appearance is different but her beauty makes Mayumi wonder if she is some sort of celebrity who went into hiding.


    ¡°Well this is just about everything that you need to know mam but if there is something that you need just ask me and I¡¯ll help if I can.¡±


    ¡°Thank you but you have helped me more than enough.¡±


    ¡°Ok then. My name is Mayumi and you are?¡±


    ¡°Call me Cassandra.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s nice to meet you Miss Cassandra. By the way I wanted to ask you this but it might sound rude.¡±


    ¡°What is it? You can ask me as long as it is not about my past.¡±


    ¡°ok. But are you wearing contact lenses because you Golden red eyes are stunning and your blue hair makes me jealous.¡±


    ¡°Is that all? You¡¯re so silly. But no, I¡¯m not wearing contact lenses, I was born with these eyes and don¡¯t be jealous of my hair cause I find your long black hair very gorgeous Miss Mayumi.¡±


    ¡°Your just flattering me.. I¡¯ll leave you for now then so my room is just on the third floor to the left in case you need something.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll remember that and thank you.¡±


    Mayumi left the room and the tall woman waltz into her bed room. She stared outside and watched Mayumi as she hangs her clothes. The mirror was big and it would show the entire body of anyone who stands in front of it so this mysterious woman looked at her own image.


    ¡°I never thought that ¡®I¡¯d be using your name Cassandra.¡±


    Black smoke covered her entire body and her image changed from a beautiful young woman into a tall young man. Thanatos has gained the knowledge to manipulate his image by the use of those souls that he had collected.


    ¡°So innocent but perhaps that is how you should be. Only a few knows about your pain.¡±


    Thanatos peeked out of the window but he found that there was a little creature sitting next to Mayumi. It was a small puppy but he knows that it is the Chimera who for some reason is protecting the girl.

 A Gods War Chapter Four

    Chapter Four (The God Hunter)


    Upon the whim of the gods humans experience various things, they get blessings and even damnation, they receive peace but also war and yet there are still some who goes on their own way of life never following what is planned for them. A god¡¯s wrath is a fearful thing, a fate that no one can stop nor delay but, as the gods held them tighter the more vicious these mortals become.


    A young soldier forged to go against what are un-killable walks the empty room of an abandoned building. His eyes covered by thick glasses yet gleams of hunger for the prey he pursues, equipped with knowledge and weapons that humans have develop throughout the years of research, he hunts for a god.


    From a distance a huge metal pole was hurled like a spear but his dexterity is so great that only a single sidestep was enough to avoid it. He raises his bow and pulled the string, aiming at the direction from where the pole has come from, he released an arrow that exploded midair lighting up the darkness and there a wounded god stands.


    ¡°Why are you doing this? What did we do to anger you?!¡±


    ¡°Hm? What is it that you did? Nothing really but it¡¯s my job to hunt you down. Back in the past you and your kind dominated all of the mortal humans but now that times have passed all of you guys began hiding like rats. It¡¯s really humorous.¡±


    ¡°I did nothing wrong to you so let me go!¡±


    ¡°Sorry buddy but I can¡¯t. You see my boss had told me that humans should be the only ones to rule but we noticed that there are some events where humans were getting killed and no one can solve the mysteries of these sudden deaths so the government hires us to find out.¡±


    ¡°Those creatures have nothing to do with me I swear!¡±


    ¡°Well sorry to hear that but my orders were clear. ¡°Eliminate all nonhumans¡± and that includes you.¡±


    ¡°No please, Stop!¡±


    A final arrow has been picked and is aimed at the weakened god. It¡¯s eyes were overflowing with tears as the god begged for its life but no matter what he says the one holding the bow is undaunted by the plead of the god.


    The fingers released the arrow flying towards the god and even though he has the speed to evade it never really helped for an exploding arrow head which spreads a number of small metal balls proves to be impossible to out run. The gods body burns and his cries echoed throughout the building and in an instant, silence came forth.


    He was smiling due to the satisfaction from his work. John Vencent Serebi is his name and he holds the title of God killer which makes him a very well-known figure in their company. Ever since he was taken in by his boss he clawed his way up motivated by one thing and that is revenge. Nine years have passed since he had lost his family and the memories of his mother being raped by five unknown gods was still fresh in his mind but his eyes are dead and his heart is as hard as steel and colder than ice. Vencent takes great pleasure in tormenting his target before he gives them death. The phone in his pocket vibrated and he can already tell who it is, there is only one person who was put in charge on supervising his actions.


    ¡°Hello my dear Cynthia.. I know that you miss me but now is not the time.¡±


    ¡°Will you shut up Vence! I¡¯m calling because there is new job given to you.¡±


    ¡°Another one? Why can¡¯t the boss see that we need to be with each other sometimes? Can he not see how much you are suffering from being separated from me?¡±


    ¡°Vence, if you don¡¯t stop with your act then I¡¯ll give this job to someone else.¡±


    ¡°Ok.. fine .. So what¡¯s the job Babe?¡±


    ¡°You need to find a god.¡±


    ¡°Isn¡¯t that what I have been doing every time?¡±


    ¡°No this one is different.¡±


    ¡°How different?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s one of the main gods and also there is another one who seems to be eliminating those monsters that have been appearing as of late.¡±


    ¡°Two targets? And one of which is a main god? Could it be possible that you have its description?¡±


    ¡°It is said that it appeared 9 years ago in the same city where you once lived.¡±


    ¡°Oh this will be good.. When will I leave?¡±


    ¡°Anytime you want. And keep this in mind, if you do something that will put the company in trouble I will personally pull you out of this mission and we will send other people who can do the job right, got that?¡±


    ¡°Oh don¡¯t worry; I will not do anything to mess this up. Tell Arnold to prepare the chopper I¡¯m leaving right away.¡±


    Vencent¡¯s smile shows no joy but instead it emanates his thirst for blood. He walks with a certain spring in his steps and like a child who is excited for a gift he made haste.


    Cynthia sits on her office chair making it spin around as she thinks of the guy who is under her care. She first met the god hunter four years ago when he was still unknown but in just a short amount of time he has proven himself as the most valuable and most effective anti-spirit agent. Their boss once told her that Vencent was a man driven by vengeance and his results proves it. Cynthia once had other agents under her care although Vencent stood on top of them and his title was something that suits him. She knows that deep inside his joking attitude lays a fearsome beast that needs to be monitored all the time due to an incident where he single handedly annihilated an entire group of demi gods that even the elite hunters failed to slay. The results were acceptable but the government prohibited the company from using excessive force but their boss knows all too well that the military and officials fears the fact that his company has a weapon who is can bring down gods and demons alike.


    Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    The large double wooden doors sprang wide open making way for their Boss. He was a man who has a proud stature and elegant white hair. Cynthia almost fell out of her chair when he entered the room.


    ¡°Good evening Boss. What a surprise to see you.¡±


    ¡°Have you given Vencent his orders?¡±


    ¡°Yes I did sir and he is now on his way to the location.¡±


    ¡°Good. We have expended a great deal of resource just to gain a little information about those gods.¡±


    ¡°Are you worried that he might fail?¡±


    ¡°Worried of him failing? Ms. Cynthia, I know that the target is a main god but Vencent is very capable of taking care of them. What I¡¯m worried about is the fact that he might find those gods who had given him so much pain.¡±


    ¡°Then why did you choose him for this mission?¡±


    ¡°They were too powerful and our agents lacks something that only Vencent has and that is his immeasurable hate towards the gods, it gives him the drive and passion to accomplish his mission no matter what and that fact alone keeps him from failing but once he gets his revenge and those gods who murdered his family has finally been killed there is that possibility that his motivation will greatly decrease.¡±


    ¡°I see but if that does happen then should we at least had sent someone else?


    ¡°We had no choice Ms. Cynthia cause as of now it is not only our company who is on the move.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean Sir?¡±


    ¡°The Vatican has mobilized their crusaders and they are responsible for the deaths of our field agents and also, another faction has started to make their move.¡±


    ¡°Another faction?¡±


    ¡°The other surviving Gods and that include the one who is named Hypnos.¡±


    ¡°Hypnos?! The god of sleep? But I thought that he and his group made a truce with the Vatican?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s been broken now. The Vatican has a goal that we also have and it is to eradicate the remaining gods, but even if we have something in common it does not change the fact that they see us as heretics who destroys the minds of the people. They think that their god exists but if that is true then why is this god of theirs haven¡¯t made an appearance yet? Hehe. Our company has proven that we don¡¯t need a religion just to be great.¡±


    ¡°Looks like something is up. Can you tell me where the Vatican and the other gods are heading?¡±


    ¡°A small town in Asia near a coast. They say that a certain god is there and doing some work himself.¡±


    ¡°Is it one of the two gods?¡±


    ¡°Yes. The god who had turned his back on his own kind. The one who is fueled by death and the first one who went against the Olympian Gods, Thanatos.¡±


    ¡°Hypnos¡¯s twin brother?! But didn¡¯t he vanish a long time ago? No one has ever heard from him and the only clues about his existence were written on a few pages of a history book.¡±


    ¡°That is right. And he is the one who killed all those monsters.¡±


    ¡°Wait! Vencent is going to fight him?! Boss this is absurd!¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry Cynthia. Although we don¡¯t have that much info about Thanatos you can rest assured that he won¡¯t kill Vencent.¡±


    ¡°What? Won¡¯t kill him? What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°Thanatos does not kill humans. He might have a reason for not doing so and I want to find out why.¡±


    ¡°What about the other god? Who is it?¡±


    ¡°Zeus.¡±


    ¡°Zeus?! Boss he will kill Vencent in a heartbeat!¡±


    ¡°Vencent is not a weakling Ms. Cynthia. I know that he can come up with something, and besides, he is well equipped and well informed so he can do something about Zeus.¡±


    Cynthia looks at her boss¡¯s confident smile but she can¡¯t shake off the feeling that something will happen so deep in her mind she had already came up with a plan to assist her field agent.


    Deep under a hidden chapel in Rome four people kneeled in front of a priest. The first one was wearing a silver full plated armor; the second one who is a woman with a fine beauty has a casual office attire, on her left is a young girl around seventeen of age, the third is a bearded man with a long blonde hair tied together forming a pony tail and lastly is a fine young man who wears a radiant white robe decorated with gold linings. These four people are what makes the elite vanguard unit of the Vatican¡¯s holy crusaders and they are tasked to pursue the Greek gods and the agents of the company known as World Tech. The priest has finished his prayer and he faced the four crusaders.


    ¡°Rise my righteous ones. You have been given the honor to fight for our one and only god. We will purify this world and abolish all the heretics who have tainted our holy lands. Oh dear father, please watch over your children as they battle the evil of this world, may you guide them towards the right path and give them strength in order to fulfill their task, if so they perish, then it will be under your all mighty name so allow them to be welcomed at your side. In the name of the father, of the son and of the holy spirit, Amen.¡±


    ¡°Amen.¡±


    ¡°Amen.¡±


    ¡°Amen.¡±


    ¡°Amen.¡±


    The bells ring as the new actors come in play.


    End of chapter four.

 A Gods War Chapter Five

    CHAPTER FIVE (The Beast of Regret)


    Thanatos stayed under the earth and only comes out when it¡¯s time to take a soul, his brother Charon gives him a ride across the river Styx and they seldom talk about anything. The water is clear and glowing but under it are vanished souls of the damned.


    Charon always wondered why his brother always has this faraway look which seemed empty but even if he asks him Thanatos only responds in a few words that really can¡¯t be considered as an answer,


    ¡°Who will you be taking now Thanatos?¡±


    ¡°A woman, her name is Cassandra and she is the fool who says that she has the gift of prophecy.¡±


    ¡°Another one of those crazed minds I see.¡±


    ¡°Perhaps. But there is something about her that makes me uneasy.¡±


    ¡°May I know what?¡±


    ¡°She was courted by Apollo before but all of a sudden he started to despise her.¡±


    ¡°Hmm. Humans are very unpredictable, their lives are short and they are frail to the point that even a single touch will break them.¡±


    ¡°But they still find ways to be happy.¡±


    ¡°I will not ask why brother but we are born as gods and it is up to us to preserve the world to how it is.¡±


    ¡°Nothing can stay the same Charon. As time goes by they gain knowledge and even a child rebels from its parents when it comes of age.¡±


    ¡°Are you saying that the mortals will rebel?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a possibility that may not be too far ahead in the future.¡±


    ¡°Are you worried?¡±


    ¡°No, no I¡¯m not. But a simple change can go far if given the chance.¡±


    Thanatos stepped out of the boat and headed to the mouth of the cave. He spread his black wings and flew away. He went for Cassandra who was lying in bed. Her body is now thin and wounds covered her body but she still utters the prophecy about the end. Thanatos waited by her side as her life slowly fades away, she turned her gaze on the man beside her and reached for his hand. Thanatos responded and came close to offer his ears thinking that she might have a dying wish.


    ¡°A war between three kingdoms will destroy the world of man, god¡¯s, mortals, and spirits will vanish leaving only an empty land.¡±


    ¡°What you say is something that I can¡¯t believe but if you have a dying wish then I¡¯ll see what I can do.¡±


    ¡°There are no wishes that I want from you. Hear my words and I beg dear god that you heed to me just this once.¡±


    ¡°If I believe your prophecy and if I stop this war then will it make your soul rest in peace?¡±


    ¡°It is not just a matter of believing for what I say is a warning, I have the gift to see what lays ahead but my heart that did not loved Apollo made him angry enough to turn the gift from him into a course that now slowly kills me. I have nothing to gain by telling you but I want to at least have someone to believe this foolish woman before it¡¯s too late.¡±


    ¡°Your eye tells me honestly that you believe in what you are saying. I will return on the day where your souls parts from this earthly body.¡±


    He walked casually passing through the crowd thinking about what he had heard. Thanatos saw a tree outside the village and decided to take a nap but his mind still wonders. Half an hour had passed and he opened his eyes to see that there was a little girl looking at him. The girl has golden locks that reflect the sun and her blue eyes is the same color as the deep sea. She stared at the god who was sitting under the shades of an old tree.


    ¡°Are you a nymph of this tree?¡± she asked.


    ¡°I am not a spirit of the earth.¡±


    ¡°Really? My father told me that this tree has been here for a long time and it houses a strong nymph that protects the village so I came here to offer this apple.¡±


    ¡°I am-¡°


    Thanatos halted his words for he saw such innocence in the child, something that he found fascinating. He wondered if all the souls that he once guided to the river were once a child like this, full of life and dreams without even knowing what the world really is but it¡¯s not just the innocence that made him pause but the sadness in her eyes. She may have a sweet smile but her eyes tell sadness that she bears.


    ¡°I am the spirit of the tree. Is there something you wish to ask?¡±


    This response from him made the girl smile with excitement.


    ¡°I brought an apple for you! So tell me, when will my father be back?¡±


    ¡°Do you not see you father every day? Or is he somewhere far away?¡±


    ¡°My father left long ago and he said that he will be back but many days passed and I never saw him again.¡±


    ¡°What do you remember before he left?¡±


    ¡°Oh! My father loves me so much because he always carries me on his shoulder and watches the stars with me! But when he left he was carrying his shield and sword and told me to be a good girl.¡±


    ¡°Where is your mother?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t have one. My father was the only one to raise me.¡±


    Thanatos knew that the girl¡¯s father is already dead but humans who fell from battle are collected by his three sisters the Keres. The little girl held her other arm trying not to cry.


    ¡°Who takes care of you?¡±


    ¡°The villagers are all nice people. They give me food and takes good care of me when I¡¯m sick but I really wish to see my father soon.¡±


    The god felt a strange sensation within his chest and from that day as he waits for Cassandra to pass away he would always rest under the tree where the little girl goes. They grew closer and Thanatos felt at ease while watching her play.


    ¡°You never told me what your name is.¡±


    ¡°You never asked. My name is Elena.¡±


    ¡°Tell me. Are you happy here?¡±


    ¡°Yes, now that I finally see the spirit of the tree.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s all the reason?¡±


    ¡°Yes, because it means that I¡¯m a good girl and soon my father will come.¡±


    Thanatos fell silent for the girl still hopes to see her father who was killed in the war. He thought that maybe he had lessened her loneliness but she still wishes for her parent.


    He waved goodbye to the little and went to Cassandra who finally succumbed to her illness. His right hand placed on the woman¡¯s chest slowly pulled out a small ball of light which is the soul of Cassandra. Thanatos brought the soul to the underworld where he returned it to the river of life still hearing her words, her warning, her prophecy. Even after taking Cassandra Thanatos still visits the Elena and on a fine afternoon the little girl fell asleep on his lap. He stroked her hair and held her small hand as he ponders how it would feel to have a child like this a child that he can call his own but alas he the god of death can never have such a life on peace. After the girl woke up he once again said goodbye to her but as he leaves, Elena help to his sleeves and asked him.


    ¡°Are you leaving for a while again?¡±


    ¡°Yes but I¡¯ll be back soon. Is there something bothering you?¡±


    ¡°I had a dream where you never came back and no matter how much I call for you I can¡¯t seem to find you.¡±


    ¡°Do not worry because I¡¯ll always come if you call. I Promise.¡±


    ¡°Then I¡¯ll will you take me with you next time?¡±


    ¡°I will. I¡¯ll take you anywhere you wish. Is there such a place where you want to go.?¡±


    ¡°I want to see the ocean! I haven¡¯t seen it before since our village is surrounded by mountains.¡±


    ¡°Then we will go to the ocean.¡±


    ¡°I will wait for you!¡±


    Thanatos went away for a while as he collects the souls of the mortals that passed away due to a plague. He spent three months and after returning the last soul to the cycle a small orb of light came to him and whispered the same words that Cassandra told him. He returned to his chamber and on his way he was greeted by his three sisters they had a seemingly odd smile and he wondered where they will go, perhaps a war has broken out or maybe a number of people have been massacred but he felt uneasy with his wondering and he finally asked them.


    ¡°Where are you going on this time of day?¡±


    ¡°We have to collect the souls of the soldiers who were about to die.¡± The elder Keres smugly said.


    ¡°About to die? Then it means that they are just about to begin. May I ask which kingdoms are fighting each other?¡±


    ¡°Oh this war is interesting for there are not only two kingdoms but three. Zeus has permitted us to start this war in order to eradicate the three kings who opposed him.¡±


    ¡°But we had some tasty appetizer.. Including that village where the fool Cassandra once lived in.¡±


    What the third Keres had said made Thanatos¡¯s ears move. There was only one village where Cassandra had resided and it¡¯s the same village where Elena lives. Without a word Thanatos rushed out of the underworld and flew with great speed that almost ripped his wings apart. On the horizon he saw some smoke and he immediately landed only to see the village collapsed. He frantically searched for the girl calling out her name and at a small corner he found her, covered with blood and her golden hair burned while her once sparkling eyes now seemed blank. He held her small body in his hand and said ¡°no¡± countless times as if going mad. Deep in his heart an emotion overwhelmed him and the dark eyes of this death god suddenly became moist with tears and in no time overflowed with tears. His cries filled the silent village and the dark clouds spiraled around showering him with cold water.


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    Thanatos held her for a long time then he gently placed Elena on a bed and covered her so that the rain can¡¯t reach her. He returned to the underworld and there Cassandra¡¯s soul was waiting for him.


    ¡°Tell me. What you said was the truth is it not?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°My sisters has invoked a war between three kingdoms, is this the beginning of your prophecy?¡±


    ¡°It is indeed and you can stop this so that no more souls have to be sacrificed needlessly.¡±


    ¡°What is that I must do?!¡±


    ¡°Stop the war three times and not only will you spare the world you¡¯ll also gain what you have always wanted.¡±


    ¡°Wanted? What do you mean?!¡±


    Thanatos came out of the cave with one thing in mind and that is to stop his three sisters. He flew to the battle ground wielding the weapon that Goddess Gaia had entrusted to him.


    On a flat landscape the three factions met. Heavy thundering footsteps rocked the earth and the heavy rain seemed nonexistent to the blood thirsty men as they held their shield and swords. On each kings side there was a Keres disguised as a beautiful maiden who closely whispers to the kings.


    The men shouted their war cry and with them the kings lead the charge but as they were about to clashed, a mighty image landed in the middle of the opposing kingdoms. It was Thanatos the God of Death and in his had he held a Scythe.


    ¡°What are doing Brother?! This is not for you so it¡¯s best that you leave.¡±


    ¡°Your provocations have led to the death of an innocent girl.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean? People die every day anywhere and you are fully aware of that or have you forgotten what you are? Asked the youngest Keres.


    ¡°Why did I not return sooner? And what is happening now is proof of Cassandra¡¯s warning.


    To all the mortals here I ask of you to leave and not proceed with this war.¡±


    The soldiers including the kings were baffled by what is happening but each Keres has spoken again to the kings and their words became absolute to them. The kings were all in a trance and they ordered to attack Thanatos and the other kingdom¡¯s men, so they did, but the god who is grieving did not give a second warning.


    With a powerful swing his blade sliced through the armored men almost like a farmer trimming down his wheat and with each movement of his weapon more and more souls leave their bodies. Thunder cracks and lightning strikes the soil was watered with thick fresh blood and soon the three Keres surrounded their brother with the Eldest one first to ask.


    ¡°How dare you interfere? You may be our brother but Zeus himself have ordered for this to happen!¡±


    ¡°It does not matter to me my sisters. Nothing has any meaning right now.¡±


    ¡°You cannot kill us Thanatos, we are gods like you and we will just start a new war.¡±


    ¡°With my blade no but with this weapon you will vanish.¡±


    Thanatos elevated his scythe from the earth and it was the very same weapon that Cronus have used to slay his father. The very sight of the scythe brought fear to the Keres and they know that it will be more than enough to kill them.


    ¡°Think about this brother. These humans mean nothing to us. Do not destroy our family just because a single girl was killed!¡±


    ¡°A Single girl? How did you know that I am grieving for the loss of that girl?¡±


    ¡°W-we just made a guess.¡±


    ¡°I have heard enough. Today I shall believe Cassandra and I¡¯ll stop the prophecy. I will cut my ties from this world.¡±


    Thanatos slowly walked towards the second Keres and in his eyes they saw not their brother but something else, something that even the gods will fear. They tried to attack all at once but Thanatos slashes around him and all at once the heads of the sisters fell to the ground. From behind an arrow came flying towards him but he caught it with his hand. A king survived and he tried to kill Thanatos but failed. Thanatos approached the wounded man and picked up a stray sword.


    ¡°Damn you! Soon the era of the gods will fall and we mortals will rule this world.¡±


    ¡°It is as you said but not today.¡±


    He gripped the man¡¯s hair and swung the sword towards its neck decapitating the king instantly. From above Hypnos descended and found the headless corpse of his sisters and on the mount of severed bodies his twin brother stood.


    ¡°Why Brother!!¡±


    Their small talk still lingers in his heart but after giving Hypnos a few words he turned his back and disappeared in the thick mist. He returned to the village and carried Elena in his arms. He flew miles away from the village and reached a tall place that overlooks the sea. Thanatos sat with the girl cuddled in his arm and they waited as the sun went down. He buried Elena on the spot where she would have enjoyed watching the sunrise and sunset over the sparkling water of the ocean and on hi palm was Elena¡¯s soul, he decided to keep it until the day where he can find a way to reunite her with her father¡¯s soul and be reborn to a much peaceful era where war can never harm them again.


    When he stepped away from the grave one of Zeus¡¯s winged enforcers came to Thanatos. Kratos blocked his way holding a sword and Thanatos can feel what is about to happen.


    ¡°You have defied Zeus my brother, and for what?  A prophecy of a mad woman and the death of that mortal child? You know what kind of punishment is waiting for you right?¡±


    ¡°I have no need for Zeus so step away and return to your master.¡±


    ¡°Tough words coming from a god who murdered his own siblings. You are to be brought to Olympus and there Zeus will decide what punishment is fitting for a murderer.¡±


    ¡°If you won¡¯t let me pass then you leave me no choice Kratos.¡±


    ¡°Funny, even I have no choice.¡±


    Kratos attacked with his sword pummeling Thanatos with great force, with his quick steps Thanatos had evaded the attack and had Kratos come after him luring the winged enforcer away from the grave. While flying the two exchanged blows that thundered throughput the woods. Thanatos immediately summoned the scythe and released a powerful slash that left a deep mark on the earth then Kratos seized the opportunity and landed a hit on Thanatos breaking his chest armor. Their trade of attacks lasted for a while when once again Kratos managed strike his foe.


    ¡°You are weakened by your grief Thanatos. I can tell that you are not even focused on our battle. So after I bring you down, I will destroy that grave and have the vultures feed on that girl¡¯s corpse.¡±


    Thanatos felt a deep hatred towards Kratos¡¯s words and he gave a look that resembles the eyes of a mother wolf that desperately wants to protect its young. He returned the scythe back to earth making Kratos question him in his mind then, it began.


    The warm air under the sun turned cold and the animals flee away with panic. The plants around died and the earth ran dry. Black smoke darker that the abyss leaked out of the soil under Thanatos¡¯s feet and covered his entire body turning him into a very different being. Kratos watched in horror after seeing the creature and feeling the overwhelming power coming from it.


    Out of desperation Kratos launched an attack that have him used all his strength but it did not even leave a single scratch on the creature¡¯s body. He attack numerously but it was like that he is just a child flailing his arms against a tree and not even a single hit made his enemy move a bit. The creature that was once Thanatos began to attack. The battle became one sided and Kratos was being tossed around like a rag doll. Bloodied and almost dead he watched as the creature slowly slices his left eye leaving a mark that will remind him of the monster that almost killed him. The creature spread its wings and flew away showing no interest on the half dead god and deep within Kratos¡¯s memories, the encounter with the monster who is Thanatos¡¯s other from have left a mark that will last throughout the centuries.


    End of Chapter Five.

 A Gods War Chapter Six

    Chapter six (A tale told by a god) (new)


    On a cold season the town awakes into a misty morning and fresh ocean breeze, as the sun comes up from the horizon the fishermen can be seen docking at the bay while their wives and children awaits them. The stores open up at around eight am and the bus roams around to pick up its passengers. Thanatos awoke to the same cold air as he heard a number of young people who happily chatters with one another. He peeked out from his window and saw Mayumi walking out of the gate and greeted some fellow students. The apartment still has some vacant rooms but just below the building was two occupied rooms rented by six men, they are far older than Mayumi but she is able to manage the apartment while studying. Thanatos is aware that Mayumi¡¯s parents have already passed away but he was not the one who collected their souls. After the girl left Thanatos saw her little pet follow her afterwards.


    He still takes the form of Cassandra when he goes out of the apartment but his disguise proves to be too much of distraction for other people. Thanatos¡¯s form was that of a beautiful woman who can only exists in the mere fantasies of every man and yet he pays no attention to the eyes of the public. Thanatos followed the young girl until she had reached their school but going inside was not an option for the god. He chose to walk around town and see if he can gather some information about the girl. A number of people who he had asked can only tell him about the sad tale of Mayumi but these were not the exact things that he wanted to know. As he strolls down the street he can feel an odd pressure coming from underneath the earth and there seems to be some kind of unstable energy around the town.


    Thanatos remembered the old days where there were no such technologies nor convenient things that made life easy, food needs to worked hard for and only a few people has knowledge and freedom. He has been to so many places throughout the centuries and he witnessed just how the mortals blossomed but as they gain knowledge and freedom they then unknowingly eats up the world to the point where a lot of precious natural gifts has already vanished. He continued with his walk but there was a piercing gaze that made him turn his head, it was different from the gaze of those people who were just enchanted by his disguise, he knows that someone else was in the town and he is sure that it could be a god as well.


    Mayumi kept thinking about her new tenant and how gorgeous she was but the woman¡¯s eyes reminded her of something. Before leaving the apartment her pet Midoku seems to be uneasy and it was not normal. The little puppy followed Mayumi around as if it was afraid or weary of something and it all began when Cassandra moved in. Elise noticed the troubled look on her friend and decided to talk to her about it


    ¡°Hey, you ok? You look like you got rejected or something.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m ok and No I did not get rejected since there was no guy after all.¡±


    ¡°So what¡¯s eating you?¡±


    ¡°My pet is acting strange but he looks ok. Maybe he just doesn¡¯t like our new tenant yet¡±


    ¡°Someone rented a room? So who is it?¡±


    ¡°Her name is Cassandra and believe, she is far more good looking than any celebrities that I know¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s that beautiful? Where is she from?¡±


    ¡°She didn¡¯t tell me but I¡¯m sure she is a foreigner because her appearance is different but her eyes are unique.¡±


    ¡°Unique how?¡±


    ¡°They were Reddish yellow but I can tell that she was not wearing any contact lenses and her hair is also eye catching, it was a wavy dark blue that really matches her appearance¡±


    ¡°And you¡¯re jealous of this woman? Don¡¯t worry Mayumi, with your big boobs I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll snag a guy or two, just make sure they are good guys ok?¡±


    ¡°I have no plans on engaging in any relationship for now and you should know well why.¡±


    ¡°Ok ok, don¡¯t get so grouchy. But I do want to see this new tenant soon. Hey did you know that we are getting a new homeroom teacher?¡±


    ¡°Really? What is our new teacher like?¡±


    ¡°The other teachers are talking about it. I heard that it¡¯s a young man and a very good looking one too. But they say he seems too perfect and that the other female teachers were just joking around¡±


    ¡°Well we¡¯ll see for ourselves soon right?¡±


    While the two were talking the classroom door opened up and a new face stood in front of the class. The man was more than six feet tall and has a good build, his dark blue eyes reveals that he is foreign and his glasses gives him a mature look. The students were at awe specially the girls as they laid their eyes on their new teacher.


    ¡°Well good morning everyone, first of all I want to introduce myself. My name is Henry Philip Nors and yes I¡¯m born from a foreign family but I lived most of my life in this country. I know what happened to your previous teacher but don¡¯t worry because I¡¯m a cautious guy and I go home while the sun is still up. So is there any question?¡±


    The students were very eager to ask their new teacher with so many questions and Mr. Henry answered them all politely even telling them that he is in fact single. The atmosphere was very light and warm but Mayumi has a feeling that Henry was hiding something so she instinctively raised her hand and ask him a very strange question.


    ¡°Mr Henry, Do you believe in spirits or monsters?¡¯


    Henry paused for a moment and looked at the entire class. Normally the other students would have chuckled a little or laugh even but he was told that there was a rumor going around that a lot of strange things were happening in the town. He adjusted his glasses and began explaining all that he knows.


    ¡°Well, for starters I¡¯m actually fond of supernatural stories and that¡¯s part of the reason why I came to this school but I¡¯ll tell you kids some interesting information but you should promise not to tell anyone ok?¡±


    The class agreed and stayed quiet waiting for their teacher to tell them what he knows;


    :¡±Are you familiar with gods and deities?¡±


    ¡°Well we heard that they were worshiped in the past but now most are Roman Catholic and they banned the worship of them.¡± A young man answered clearly.


    ¡°It¡¯s correct. But before there were gods and sprits there were humans first of course. The first humans lived a simple life and as time goes by they began wondering how the world was created and this was one of the questions that started it all. They thought that there was a higher power watching over them and they believe that everything on the earth was somehow connected to that power. The human mind is filled with such imaginations that soon every village, every cities and every nation started to believe at the existence of the gods. They created various gods that were linked to their everyday lives like farming, fishing, hunting and even drinking. But above all else these beliefs gave birth to new beings and those beings were the gods themselves. Each god was tasked to do what humans believe them to do. This sort of co-existence lasted for a time but the gods themselves gained awareness and chose a different mindset.¡±


    ¡°How is this connected to evil spirit Mr. Henry?¡± The boy asked once again


    ¡°Just listen because we are just getting to the good part.¡±


    The students were at the edge of their seats and their focus was pinned on their teacher.


    Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    ¡°As i was saying. These gods were worshipped and they think that it was their birth right to rule over the humans so they started to act like kings. They demanded respect and offerings in exchange for their help. In time most gods became weary of their fellow gods and their hearts got filled with doubts. On normal human terms it¡¯s only natural to choose who the rightful one to lead is. An internal dispute broke out and different factions countered each other. These factions needed a force to battle their foe and they created what you call minions. Each god has their followers and back then the only way to defeat a deathless god is to make sure that no one would worship them and they of course targeted the humans. In their battle the humans were the ones to suffer and the minions were created to attack mortals while the souls of the murdered ones seek justice and forevermore roam the earth but there was one thing that the gods never expected to happen.¡±


    ¡°What was it?¡± Mayumi asked eagerly


    ¡°That the humans would rebel against them. The gods can interact with the mortals and cases where humans and gods produce offspring were not too uncommon and the most famous one was Hercules. Hercules can¡¯t live forever like his father Zeus and only a handful of demigods were immortals and some of these demigods actually sided with the mortals and battled the gods. The gods always wanted to get what they want and if they don¡¯t then they see to it that someone will get punished. This act of arrogance had lead to the birth of the cursed ones like medusa the woman who was cursed by Athena for no apparent reason. Their wrongful acts piled up and soon the mortals wanted to find salvation from somewhere else.¡±


    ¡°Did they find it Mr. Henry?¡± Elise was usually not into this kind of discussion but the way her teacher explained it caught her attention


    ¡°They did somehow. Their beliefs were toppled by the new one called Christianity and the crusade began. The Catholic Church was not powerful before but their way of converting people was undeniably effective.¡±


    ¡°What did they do sir?¡± a student at the front asked.


    ¡°They killed those who would not convert. A large number of women were burned alive and many more were slaughtered. The Christian church did not spread kindness but instead they controlled the hearts of many with fear. The old gods were demonized and thus the worshippers of the first gods dwindled to the point where most of them vanished. The remaining gods fled and hid taking what keeps them alive.¡±


    ¡°But I thought they have minions to fight for them and that they were powerful so why did they flee?¡±


    ¡°In every organization they have enforcers or soldiers who are trained to go against such beings so it could be possible that the gods have faced such humans who were able to fight them head on. With the first gods gone their minions got lost and left unchecked but their purpose is till the same in their minds and it is to devour humans.¡±


    Mayumi realized where the discussion was going and she tried to fill up the rest of the story.


    ¡°Then the Monsters that were in the old stories are the abandoned minions of the gods and their victims turned into the ghosts that haunt people?¡±


    ¡°That is right. But a spirit is a different one. Spirits are elemental beings that reside in the natural things that make up our world like fire, water, earth and wind.¡±


    ¡°What about the first gods? Do they still exist?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a possibility but who knows.¡±


    The class ended and the students were even more mystified by the stories that they have heard. Elise wanted to walk home with Mayumi but her friend insisted that she go home first. Mayumi waited for Mr. Henry and she gathered up all her courage to ask him things once gain. The rest of the students were gone and Mayumi took the chance to talk to him.¡±


    ¡°Mr. Henry. Can I talk to you for a bit?¡±


    ¡°Oh you¡¯re that student. So what can I do for you?¡±


    ¡°I know this will sound strange again but have you heard of monsters that make people lost or take them to a different place?¡±


    ¡°Well there are some stories about it in some folklore. Is there something in your mind?¡±


    ¡°Can you keep a secret?¡±


    ¡°Ok I¡¯ll keep your secret.¡±


    ¡°I had some strange dreams before where I was taken to places that I don¡¯t recognize but I was saved in the end by different people, it happened two times and the second one was very recent.¡±


    ¡°The ones who saved you, what are they like?¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t clearly remember the first one but the more recent was a young man wearing a black attire and he easily killed the monster who wanted to eat me. The two of them had similar weapons and those were scythes though I can tell that their scythes don¡¯t look the same¡±


    ¡°Well I can¡¯t say for sure but there are some stories where people have dreams that looked very real to them, but then again there are a lot of things that can¡¯t be explained. So tell me, is there something else that you can remember from that man who saved you?¡±


    ¡°Well he has golden red eyes and blue hair; he also pulls his weapon out from the ground.¡±


    ¡°By some chance did he said something to you? Like his name maybe?¡±


    ¡°After he killed the monster he turned to me and I woke up after that, but it was strange because I was at the roof top of my apartment when I woke up but I remembered that I was walking home before having that dream.¡±


    ¡°Was that the first time you¡¯ve seen him?¡±


    ¡°He looks familiar in some way but I can¡¯t remember if I have seen him before. Why are you curious to know Sir Henry?¡±


    ¡°Nothing special. But you know. There are spirits who still guards some humans so he could be your guardian angel of some sort.¡±


    ¡°Really?! But why do you know so much about this kind of things?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll leave that to your imagination. You better head home now, it¡¯s not safe to walk alone but then again, maybe you guardian will appear before you to save you once more.¡±


    Mayumi felt some truth about what her teacher have said and she wanted it to happen. She went on her way while Mr. Henry watches from a far he is certain that the man who saved Mayumi was his twin brother Thanatos but the first one still makes him wonder. Hypnos sat on his desk inside an empty classroom; he let out a deep sigh and removed his glasses. He manipulated the minds of the teachers into thinking that he is a newly hired teacher but having a disguise while staying at a certain place was normal especially for gods like him. He feels that the center of the disturbed energy was in the school but finding someone who has a link to his brother was unexpected especially when that someone is being protected by something else aside from his twin. He stood up and lit a cigar while watching the sunset, Hypnos can feel the unearthly beings in the town but he can¡¯t feel the presence of his brother who became an adept into concealing his existence.


    End of chapter six.