A tuneful noise of jingles was heard all over the town district. Mellow movements of fingers on the drum surface granted a voluminous sound to the rings attached to the wooden frame. The player was a teenage girl sitting on a bench near the town square, her gaze stuck to the young woman who danced passionately to the music. She was dressed in red, her see-through pantaloons danced with her as she spun around, the jewellery on her ankles ringing like bells. The crowd surrounding them cheered and without hesitating tossed silver coins into the cup placed in front of the teen.
The town was lit by paper lanterns hanging across the streets, the taverns were packed with soldiers celebrating their safe return and mourning their fallen comrades. Two drunkards argued, the older yanked the dice out of the other's grasp and examined it, upon realising he had been fooled he shouted and took the coins from the ground.
Before long, the town folks noticed a white lion strolling down the road. They cocked their heads to see the creature clearer, not daring to approach it. Asfrid stood straighter as if the human attention satisfied him. On the contrary, the boy beside him hunched over, giving a lacklustre smile as he quickened his steps; but his ethereal appearance was hard to ignore and in no time a loud cry sounded from a tavern nearby.
"Hail to the Heavenborn, protector of Pyrsa!"
The soldiers rejoiced, raising their wooden mugs in the air, Frey's cheeks turned pink as he waved at them.
Local kids had gathered near him like moths around the light, their eyes gleaming with exhilaration after finally seeing him in person. Except that the God did not resemble any of his depictions. He looked—what the Pyrse folks called people with no visible muscles—undernourished, as opposed to the large monument in the centre of the town.
The boy continued walking with the flock of children following in the distance. He spotted a familiar old inn, recognizing the smashed entrance fastened offhandedly with iron nails.
A few warriors were messing around, teasing the innkeeper about his ale, saying it tasted like piss. The boy's arrival silenced them all. The old man retreated into the cellar as Frey perched at one of the bar seats.
He noticed a small figure appear out of nowhere. The innkeeper's daughter flung herself on a stool, munching as she kept intense eye contact with him. She spat the wheat spikelet and moved closer to the boy's face.
"Did you come to reimburse us for the damages, great sir?"
Frey smiled awkwardly. "Well, as much as I would like to... I don't have any gold."
"Bull crap. A God with no wealth? What's next, cocks laying eggs? If you would simply ask the peoples they'll give you their riches, willingly even."
"I can't take advantage of their devotion, it goes against my morals." Frey smiled.
"It is a good thing you're immortal, with those ideals you would never make it in this world." She drummed her fingers on the table. "Either way, what brings you here?"
The boy was hesitant to look into her memories, so he asked. "Remember the man who attacked me this morning? Perhaps you know what happened to his corpse?"
She grimaced, "beats me. People carried that poor thing away. You did not murder him so why bother? He was an outsider so they must have fed him to the hogs."
A commotion sounded from the tables, a young soldier with a nose like a hawk's beak pushed the man retaining him, he staggered towards Frey, pointing at him with a cup in his hand as he shouted.
"Why did you abandon us? Where the hell were you? They died… They all died because of you!" He yanked the boy by his collar. "Answer me, you useless prick! Is it amusing to you? Do Gods enjoy watching our demise?"
Asfrid gave a low growl and bared his claws. The youth stared in a daze, feeling the eyes of the soldiers pierce him like needles. He lowered his head, there was nothing he could say that would make the man feel better, it was better to let him take out his rage.
The man raised his fist when a harsh slam sounded from the bar. A cup was forcefully placed before Frey, the frothy foam oozed at the hardwood. The elderly host threw a rug at his daughter and gestured her towards the tables. He then turned at the soldier.
"Be angry if you need to, but do not forget who has defended your land time after time. You were brought up in peace thanks to him, be grateful."
The man loosened his grip, he took one last look at the boy and scoffed. "Pathetic." He spat on the floor and left the tavern with his crew. Frey stood in silence, staring at the dirty floor as he fiddled with the golden bracelet on his arm.
The old man spoke. "Do not take it to heart, their minds are still exhausted from battle. They will forget in no time."
"They won't. I see how they look at me. I see their disappointment." Frey gave a bitter smile and placed the bracelet on the bar. "I'm sorry about the commotion this morning. I hope this is enough to fix your door."
The old man watched him leave, he grabbed a cloth, wiping a small stain from a chalice. "Seek for the embalmer, he shall help you with your matter…" he paused, "and boy, you can only do so much. Even Gods have their limits."
☾
Moonlight gleamed on the palm trees; their thick leaves swayed from the warm breeze carrying the smell of the ocean around the yard. Two figures stood at the palace watchtower observing the town below, the candle lights in the buildings gradually faded away as the citizens prepared for their slumbers.
Yuan held a silver platter of sliced melons, nibbling on them with a satisfied expression. The king stood beside him leaning onto the marble baluster, his eyes glued at the brightest star in the sky.
"Beautiful, is it not? This kingdom… so full of wonders. See there, if you follow the river it will lead you to the cataracts, truly a place like heaven… then again what do I know." He chuckled. "My sons had loved trawling for angel fish during our hunting, such lovely memories. Perhaps that is why I wish so deeply to defend this lad from those savages. They will not quench until they wreck us into pieces. Until they ravage our culture and spread their foulness over these walls." He paused; his hands tightened into fists.
The dragon King blinked in ignorance, the man's speech sounded like gibberish to him. He offered the plate of fruit to him, but the other declined politely.
"Forgive me, I am jabbering like a fool. I shall have the servants prepare a guest bedroom for you; you are welcome to stay as long as you desire. That boy… I hope he is less lonely with you here. He's been staying at the palace library day and night, studying manuscripts. A youth must enjoy life, even if it is eternal." He pressed his hand over the other's shoulder and laughed.
Yuan forced a smile, he watched the man limp towards the palace and cocked his head at the ceiling.
"You can come forth now."
Footsteps sounded on the roof of the tower, a white figure jumped on the balustrade, he settled comfortably, resting his chin on his palm.
"How cruel of you to abandon me with these humans. Was it perhaps an act of revenge?" protested the dragon King as he noticed the boy's expression. "You seem upset."
"I am," he said. "I went to investigate, as it turns out, the citizens cremated that man because he was a foreigner and the undertaker was too busy with the deceased from the battle."
He always thought the kingdom treated the outsiders unfairly, it made him uncomfortable since he was practically an outsider too.
"Enlighten me please, why would you willingly seek out human remains? Have you gone completely insane?" asked Yuan with a mortified voice.
"Don't be an ass. I needed to confirm my suspicions. If a human body can't bear the spiritual force of Gods, surely it would have been damaged." Frey crossed his legs and glanced at the sky; the moon highlighted his fair lashes.
"So you intended to dissect a human," said the other, covering his mouth with a sleeve.
"For the sake of Gods, is that all you picked up from this conversation?"
The pair fell silent and stared at each other. The youth smirked. "I have a plan."
"I refuse to have any part in it."
"Listen, we don't know if we will ever find that man's associate, so I suggest, we speak with him directly." His eyes twinkled.
The dragon King turned away, his long hair nearly slapped the boy in the face. "No. I do not wish to see that woman ever again."
Frey chased after him as they walked past the guards. "That's unfortunate. I guess I will have to travel alone… All by myself… On my own."
Yuan halted and stared in his sparkling eyes. It had been a while since he had seen him this exhilarated. He sighed. "Have it your way."
☾
Golden pillars stood majestically upon the ground, resembling huge towers nearly touching the clouds with their edges. The sky was covered in stars, asteroids and small isles floating in every direction, granting a distinct, heaven-like feel to space. Gardens full of extraordinary flowers surrounded the place, plants twisted like snakes, climbing on top of the gilded structure. Ten pompous thrones erected in front of a platform, each one occupied by forms dressed in black, their faces concealed by gold masks.
A long-legged man appeared from the gate. He strutted past the gigantic hall with an attitude of a nobleman, a thin silver crown attached to his forehead, his blond hair swaying loosely behind. His inky cloak was adorned by tiny silver stars that matched the sky. His sharp expressions became visible as he approached the lit platform, the blue orbs suspended in the air emphasized the colour of his eyes. He ascended to the stand and kneeled in front of the figures with a smug smile.
An unworldly voice echoed around the court, causing the ground to tremble.
"The Holy Council has thoroughly cogitated Lord Ellisar's proposal. We reckon the resuscitation of the Core of Cosmos to be precarious, considering its force is beyond erratic."
A female figure continued, the voice sounded natural yet monotonous.
"Your Lordship has a deep understanding of the incident that took place centuries ago. Therefore, I ask, why has he made such a request in spite of the fact the human realm is in conditions of peace."
Ellisar stood up and cocked his head towards the individual speaking. He held out his hands and a transparent sphere appeared in front of them. Blurry shapes emerged on the surface, transforming into human figures, the reflection of the battlefield became clear, displaying the combatting figures. A soldier riding a horse was attacked by a man who pushed him to the ground and mauled his limbs like a rabid animal. His chest rose and fell with quick breaths, bloody eyes darted around the area, stalking for his next prey. The image cut to another party fighting against one warrior, spears and arrows skewered his body yet he was still able to move. He bared his teeth like a predator and charged forward, slaughtering anyone in his path.
The council murmured; the female voice pressed.
"Please elaborate, your Highness."
"What is there to explain. I trust all of you recognize these actions. The same behaviour that once commenced the fall of humanity," replied Ellisar.
"How could it be! Those beings were eradicated centuries ago." A different voice cried out.
"They were imprisoned, not wiped out," said the lord as he paced around the platform. "The Seal of the Abysm detained them fairly well. That is, until now."
"Mortals do not possess power to unleash those entities. It had to have been one of our kin."
The court gasped, and the hall was again swaddled in whispers. A figure seated on a throne farther away addressed.
"Only four Empyreans are journeying the earth at the present time. It might not be my place to say but, the second prince has behaved quite oddly on numerous occasions. I would not be surprised if he… held a grudge against us."
The female figure looked in his direction. Ellisar paused, his shoulders tensed.
"You accuse my nephew of treachery?" His flat voice held a tinge of malice.
"I simply made a remark, my Lord. It would not be unanticipated if the prince conspired against Empyreans."
In just a second Ellisar extended his hand and a translucent blue rapier appeared from thin air. The sharp point of the sword aimed at the man, stopping inches away from his eye.
The woman gave a displeased yell. "Ellisar!"
"You are correct about one thing. You are in no position to speak about my family in that manner." He retreated his arm and the sword disintegrated into flares, stunning everyone around. He turned his back and paced towards the exit, stopping as he reached the gate.
"I will allow the council to reassess the subject. You shall bear in mind; I do not intend to let the most powerful force in the Universe run rampant. But it goes without saying, humanity needs its own guardian."