Celestial Confrontation
Coming From the Shadows Series
The hollowed wind howled a mournful dirge across the peaks of the Anatolian mountains; the lament in Elpis’ heart; below were the once vibrant valleys that cradles burgeoning civilisations – now though, they were marred by the creeping blight of societal collapse, famine, war and upheaval, these had replaced the promise of the bronze age.
As she moved, she finally laid eyes upon what she had been searching for; perched atop the craggy outcrop, Zor’Githas rested – he was a dark silhouette against the bruised twilight sky, he was a stark contrast to the gentle landscapes he overlooked, a being sculpted by war, his eyes burned with a crimson fire “Githas” Elpis began, her voice though was barely audible above the winds cry “The suffering…, the devastation; why?”
Turning, there was a flicker of something akin to regret momentarily softening his often harsh features “Sentimentality ill becomes you; Elpis” he said “You of all beings should understand the necessity for change; the pruning of the weak”
“This isn’t change!” she snapped “It is annihilation; these civilisations had such potential, they came so far!” Elpis’ violet eyes blazed with a righteous anger “Do you know what it is like to watch them starve; to see their cities burn”
Zor’Githas rose to his feet, his immense frame cast a long shadow over her “Potential is worthless without the strength to realise it” he stated “These…, mortals…, were complacent; stagnant…, I merely…, accelerated the inevitable decline”
“Accelerated?” Elpis felt a cold dread creep into her voice “You…, didn’t just stand by and watch; you interfered?” she stared towards him, things were clicking into place “You sowed discord; whispered ambition into the ears of rulers, poisoned wells of their prosperity” everything was beginning to make sense; droughts, the sudden scarcity of resources, the whispers of war which turned to screams – he had helped orchestrate it “Why?; what do you gain…, from this…, carnage”
He grinned as he looked towards Elpis; his usually violet eyes flashed momentarily with a red hue; his chilling ambition was on display “Chaos my dear; Chaos, it will draw others of our kind in; just look at how many have already begun to finally cast their gaze towards these pathetic little creatures; these mortals never once had meaning to any of them, now…, they will become a focus…, and I intend to make sure what once brought ‘peace’ and stagnation to us, never happens again”
Zor’Githas paused; his eyes shifting – he gazed out for a moment “Our brethren have grown complacent; a war is needed, a war to remind them of who and what we are; and were better than a battlefield; a sad, pathetic little world like this will play host to something greater”
“Your using them as bait” Elpis realised that his plans were far more monstrous than she previously imagined; he wasn’t just destroying the civilisations of mortals; he was igniting war amongst their own people, he was using humanity as the tinder
Turning his attention back to Elpis, he stepped towards her “Think about it Elpis; a divine conflict; fuelled by the fate of mortals; it will shake the very foundations of our existence”
Elpis was horrified; she couldn’t think of any way to respond; her eyes shifted, she stared past Zor’Githas; she stared out towards the valleys.
Zor’Githas watched her expression – then, he slowly turned, following her gaze to stare out at the valley below, the two stood in silence.
Written By: Westley H
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