GODS , TYRANTS AND MONSTER Chapter 7 FIRE & HEART OF A SAILOR

A gentle breeze blew past Arina as she watched the horizon, her mind remembering the events of the fallen night. She had almost killed Nijahoeba.

What disturbed her more was what she saw inside Nijahoeba's soul.

Her face tensed as she raised up her right wrist and stared at the religious bracelets.

"NEVER take them off, not while you are still a believer. Sulli, she is your God now, your serve her and nobody else." Her father had said years ago. It was no secret that Mr. Burdett was a devote follower.

It had been an honor having his daughter wield the power of the Healer.

Unfortunately, it could not be said about his daughter. She had taken Sulli's power for her own reasons, for a cause that had seemed to die when her grandfather was murdered. She would never forget the day he was murdered.

It had been raining when thirteen-year-old Arina and her grandfather had walked down the streets heading home. She had held his hand and a smile filled her face. That was when three men appeared before them.

"Reece," one of the men had called, smoke leaving his lips. "The church has sent us to come and get young Arina."

Reece, her grandfather had reluctantly nodded, handing Arina over to the men. "Take care of her." He had said.

The man had then pulled out a pistol and pointed it at Reece's forehead. "I will," before blowing his brains.

"GRANDPA!" Arina had screamed as two of the men held her.

The man who had shot Reece had then turned to face Arina, his bottle green eyes never leaving her. "So, you are the little believer? You heal people, don't you? Bring them back to life?"

"I will kill you!" she had screamed in tears.

"NOT today though," he had said before blowing her brains with the pistol.

Warm tears ran down Arina's cheeks as she quickly wiped them. The approaching footsteps alerted her as she fixed her face.

"Thank you for bringing me back to life." Nijahoeba's voice said from behind.

"What were you doing in my room in the first place?" she asked, not turning to face him.

He walked towards her. "Sulli, your God, I can still sense her anger." He answered. "She has sworn wrath on you and me."

She turned to face him.

"You have to leave. Staying here will only bring trouble. A believer's place is in the church, next to her God."

"Fake believer!" she corrected him. "My grandfather..."

"You still have the power of your God, that cannot be changed. In the outside world, where Odo and I are going, people like you bring trouble. The other kingdoms will find you as an insult, you cannot enter the city of the other Upper Beings."

Her face immediately dimmed. "Odo and I cannot protect you." He added.

"Very well, I will go." She finally said and walked past him.

"Arina," he called out.

"Yes?"

"Please forgive me," he concluded.

"Odo, Sailor, come and see!" Arina yelled as she ran inside one of the cabins. "It's beautiful,"

Nijahoeba and Odo both rose from their seats and followed Arina to the deck.

A warm breeze blew by gently in the dark sky. "Look," she said as she pointed at the small island before them. The island glowed beautifully from the distance.

"It's an island." Nijahoeba said in amazement.

He then turned to face Odo. "We need more food. Let us camp at its shore for the night." Odo spoke. "Hopefully even find some clients for our oil."

"That is strange, the map didnot show this island!" Odo spoke, rubbing his chin in confusion.

"Does it matter?" Nijahoeba asked, looking through the binoculars, "This island looks rich! We will surely make a fortune around here!"

The ship finally reached the island's shore. There were more ships as well.

"Arina," Nijahoeba spoke, seeing Arina fix the oversized shirt that she wore. Her eyebrows frowned in worry, her hands trembling.

"What is it," she asked, without looking at him.

"Your bracelets...they have to leave your body." He said. She looked at him in shock. "Nobody has to..."

"I know!" she interrupted. There was silence afterwards.

She slowly reached for them but could not bring her self to take them off. "I ...am ...not a believer," she whispered slowly, pulling the bracelets off.

They slipped from her wrist and dropped to the floor.

"You don't have to leave yet, if you do not mind, you can help us sell some oil around this island first." he added.

"Prolonging departure will only hurt us Nijahoeba." she answered sadly. "Let me go now."

"Have a drink with me at the bar at least.

"Have a drink with me at the bar at least, before you go."

Sweet melodies filled the island as Nijahoeba, Odo and Arina walked inside the crowded bar.

They were welcomed by the joyous laughter from the men and women who drank beverages. "I need to use the restroom," Arina whispered to Nijahoeba. Of course, she was not come back.

"Restroom? Should I come with you?" he asked in concern.

"No, I will be fine alone. Give me a moment," she quickly argued.

"Very well," he concluded.

She then scanned the whole bar before walking away. She had to stay away, if she wanted them to safe. Her forehead frowned in distress, as she squeezed herself amongst the many people. A single tear ran down her cheek. She had to face the wrath of Sulli alone.

Nijahoeba sat down on the bar chair and smiled at the beautiful bartender. She smiled also before saying, "Can I get you something?" her golden eyes looking straight at his.

He cleared his throat.

"I would like some beer,"

"Hey lad, I will be at the tables if you need me," Odo interrupted, startling Nijahoeba who held his chest and softly cursed.

"Somebody has to do business here."

Nijahoeba nodded as the old man walked away, leaving just him and the beautiful woman who was already pouring some beer for him. He looked over his shoulder, for any sign of Arina. He was worried about her.

She slowly pushed the glass towards Nijahoeba who held it. "Hope you enjoy," she spoke, seductively.

***

Silence filled the restroom as Arina looked at her reflection on the broken mirror. Tears ran down her rosy cheeks, she had betrayed her god and everyone in Yada was dead because of her. She regretted the decision to abandon Sulli.

Why had she done it?

She held her head and took deep breaths . She needed to get away from Nijahoeba and Odo, before she caused them more problems.

Sulli, she knew, would not rest until she was dead.

Slowly, she walked out of the restroom and entered a familiar white room. Sulli's temple.

Men and women dressed in fancy clothes danced gracefully. What was happening? She wondered, walking amongst the couples dancing.

Was she hallucinating?

"Arina dear," the familiar voice spoke as she looked at the old man with dark brown hair, her father.

"Father? I thought you..."

"Sulli wants to see you. I believe you did something wrong." Her father quickly said, leading the way.

Her thin hands ran down Nijahoeba's coat as she kissed him patiently. He kissed her back, holding her close to him.

Their lips explored each other, igniting lust within. "Don't stop kissing me Nijahoeba," sha whisnored between deep breaths.

"Shh..." he shushed.

** Odo walked down the dark streets, following the young boy who giggled playfully.

"Come father, I want to show you something!" the boy happily spoke.

"Hans! Stop running my son!" he yelled, walking faster. Hans was his son that he had lost to smallpox a decade ago. Seeing him again after so long brought joy to his heart, he did not even question his existence.

Nijahoeba stopped kissing the woman and pushed her away. She fell down and screamed in a demonic voice, her face glitching instantly. "How do you know who I am!" he asked in anger and confusion.

"Fool!" the women said in a demonic voice and the whole scenery faded. it all faded before him, and he fell into a long black hole.

His eyes peeled open and he saw nothing but darkness. His hands and legs were bound with thread that felt like hair.

The thread was everywhere, like a spider web.

He struggled to free himself. "You should have succumbed to the fantasy I threw at you. You would have never had to feel any pain," a demonic voice said from all directions.

Nijahoeba looked around and saw piles of bones from the black waters below the web.

That was when he saw Arina and Odo above him. They seemed to be asleep, bound with the same thread. "Arina! Odo!" he yelled in pain.

"Wake up!"

"You can't save them, nobody can. This is my lair." The voice spoke. "Nijahoeba,"

"Who are you?" he asked in fear.

"Man's worst enemy, the Mistress of deception and illusions." The voice said. "Naamah,"

The threads pulled his limbs tighter as he sensed movement from the dark that he had adjusted to.

Thin, long and black claws appeared as they pulled Arina closer to the beast that had an empty face and long hair.

"Don't touch her!" yelled Nijahoeba.

"Sulli...who could have thought she had such useless subjects!" the beast spoke. "Believers, that's what men call them, am I correct?"

The threads tightened as Nijahoeba struggled, feeling pain on all his joints.

"When the compass breaks, the promise you made would be broken. They will all come for you Nijahoeba," the words rang inside Nijahoeba's head as he struggled to free himself.

"She smells divine! I wonder, does she taste as much?" the beast said.

"No please...I will worship you, please don't hurt them!" cried Nijahoeba.

"Worship me? I am not a God. I am not fueled by men's loyalty and respect. Instead, I feed on their fear. It is what makes me stronger, your misery."

A loud scream left Nijahoeba's lips as the threads started covering Arina.

His left hand broke free from the threads and so did his right. The beast cried as he cut through its hair, racing for Arina.

had an empty face and long hair.